Never before has a pope received this honor, especially on the 250th anniversary of the United States' establishment.
On July 3rd of 2026, Pope Leo XIV will be honored with the US Medal of Religious Liberty by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the center's announcement, this award will commemorate Pope Leo's:
“Lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world – ideals enshrined by America’s founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
The medal was previously awarded to various world leaders and human rights advocates like Malala Yousafzai, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and George W. Bush.
NATS
Interestingly, this year’s US Medal of Religious Liberty is sponsored by the City of Philadelphia and Villanova University, the alma mater of Pope Leo XIV. The Pope will reportedly receive the award and deliver an acceptance speech virtually.
CRT
