July 9—Speaking as “a son of this great country, founded by courageous men and women who dreamed of liberty and of a better life for themselves and for their children,” the first American Pope in history, Leo XIV, received the Liberty Medal on the eve of the Fourth of July, from the National Constitution Center (NCC) of Philadelphia. Pope Leo spoke by live-streamed video to the ceremony held in his honor at the NCC headquarters in Philadelphia, for his receipt of the institution’s 38th annual Liberty Medal award on the afternoon of July 3. He urged Americans, on this 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, to make “a solemn recommitment to these ideals that have made America a country that values peace and prosperity, a country characterized by generosity and nobility of heart.”

Pope Leo specifically reminded people that the United States was built as a nation by waves of immigrants who came from across the world because of such ideals, dedicated to protecting the God-given dignity of every human being.

Ceremony in Philadelphia

This theme was embodied in the ceremony by the participation from the podium, and in the audience, of government leaders from diverse backgrounds, and religious leaders representing many faiths—Protestant and Catholic Christianity, Islam, and Judaism alike. Both Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke.

The character of the ceremony stood in stark contrast to the current abysmal state of U.S. politics and discourse. The responsibility of government and the citizenry to defend the innate dignity of every person was a recurring theme in the remarks by nearly all of the leaders who spoke before the Pope. So, too, was the idea that the U.S. republic is a process which must still be perfected, and that freedom only flourishes when it is joined with moral responsibility. Benjamin Franklin’s caution—“[We have given you] a republic, if you can keep it”—was cited by one speaker. Another stated, we are here to honor the Pope, and also to renew our commitment to defend the liberty of all people. Pope Leo received a standing ovation, before and after he spoke.

In his remarks, Pope Leo noted that “from our youth, most of us have admired the eloquence of those words [of the Declaration of Independence] with their resounding appeal to the law of nature and to nature’s God as the basis of their assertion that all men and women are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“In these past 250 years, for so many peoples throughout the world, it was the firm resolve to achieve the noble vision of the nation’s founders that made America a byword for freedom, as the country opened its doors to successive waves of immigrants, enabling them and their children to play their part in shaping the future of the nation.”

Achieving that vision, however, is not a given.

Reflect on Founding Principles

The Pope called for a response to Independence Day: “Today, as we look to the future, this historic anniversary presents us with the opportunity to reflect once again on the nation’s founding principles.”

The Pope has highlighted this same theme since March of this year, when the Holy See and the NCC first announced that he would receive the Liberty Medal. The Holy See Press Office stated at that time, “The Holy Father is deeply grateful to the National Constitution Center for this prestigious award, in such a meaningful anniversary for the American People, as they are called to reflect on the 250 years of their history holding the Constitution of the United States and Liberty as hallmarks of their Heritage for future generations.” The NCC sent a delegation to the Vatican this past Spring, and a video of their visit with the Pope was shown to the July 3 audience in Philadelphia.

On June 25, Pope Leo composed an open letter promulgated widely July 4, “On the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America.” This letter, the full text of which appears elsewhere in this issue, also asks fellow Americans to “reflect upon the responsibilities that the sons and daughters of this country bear to one another, and to the generations who will inherit the nation that is being shaped today.”

The Right to Life, the Necessity of Truth

Pope Leo specified that the right to life comes first, “for no one who is deprived of life can enjoy liberty or pursue happiness…. In this regard, the moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to support, protect and cherish the lives of all, especially the most vulnerable and those whose worth is questioned.”

The right to liberty follows, but he cautioned, while liberty is frequently understood as the freedom “to act as one would like,” true liberty is a deeper concept, “founded upon the human person’s capacity to know the truth and adhere to what is good, even at great cost….

“The desire for truth and freedom, as well as the very pursuit of happiness, continues to inspire people of all generations to ask fundamental questions regarding the meaning of life, our ultimate purpose, and indeed about God, and it is proper for magnanimous hearts to endeavor to answer these questions with sincerity,” he added.

Interfaith dialogue and interreligious cooperation towards “promoting the public good,” seeking “to find common ground in promoting the cause of peace and reconciliation, at home and abroad,” needs to continue. “E pluribus Unum—out of many, one,” he reminded everyone.

“May the principles we have reflected upon today—a shared human dignity, equality and the rights laid out in the Declaration of Independence—ever be a source of such unity and a guiding light for the present moment and the years to come.”