Overview
- The National Constitution Center will host a public ceremony on Independence Mall with remarks broadcast live from the Vatican and streamed online.
- The event is integrated into Philadelphia’s Semiquincentennial programming in partnership with the city and Wawa Welcome America.
- The Vatican confirms the pope will not travel to the United States in 2026 despite an invitation from President Donald Trump, as he plans to spend July 4 on Lampedusa highlighting migrant concerns.
- Leo, born Robert F. Prevost, is the first American-born pope with Chicago roots and a Villanova degree, and the university facilitated outreach to the Holy See.
- The Liberty Medal, created in 1988, recognizes global contributions to freedom and has previously honored Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John McCain, John Lewis and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.