Pope tells US immigrants have shaped nation's future

Pope Leo XIV told the US that

immigrants have shaped the nation's future as he received the

Medal of Freedom in an online ceremony with Philadelphia Friday.

"Over the past two hundred and fifty years, for many peoples

around the world, there has been an unwavering determination to

realize the noble vision of the Founding Fathers, making America

synonymous with freedom, as the country opened its doors to

successive waves of immigrants, allowing them and their children

to help shape the nation's future," said Leo.

"It was this same love of freedom that inspired the United

States in the darkest hours of the last century."

Receiving the Medal of Freedom from Philadelphia and, recalling

the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, connected

online with the National Constitution Center, Leo added: "As a

son of this great nation, founded by brave men and women who

dreamed of freedom and a better life for themselves and their

children, I join you in asking God's blessing on America's

future, that the high ideals enshrined at the outset of the

Declaration of Independence may continue to guide the nation's

prosperity in unity, justice, and peace."

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