Pope Leo XIV celebrates America’s 250th in Liberty Medal award acceptance speech

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Pope Leo XIV celebrated America’s 250th birthday during his acceptance speech for the 2026 Liberty Medal award Friday.

The award from the National Constitution Center honors one person who “strive[s] to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the globe,” according to the organization’s website.

“In accepting this award, I therefore pray that this, the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great nation, may be the occasion of 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,” the American-born pontiff said in a livestreamed speech broadcast at the Philadelphia event.

“I commend all of you, as well as the future of the nation, to the one who is himself the source of true freedom and lasting peace, the one whose very name is peace. May God bless America,” he continued.

In a letter released by the Vatican last week to mark this significant anniversary, Leo encouraged Americans to “honor the courage and vision” of future generations by investing in community and “respecting their differences.”

The Catholic leader and President Trump clashed earlier this year over the U.S. military operation against Iran, with the pontiff expressing veiled concern about the president’s handling of the conflict. Trump responded by calling him “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.”

In his message last week, the pope also appeared to criticize the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown efforts.

“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contribution have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning,” the pontiff wrote.

“In every generation, those who have arrived seeking freedom, opportunity and a place to belong have helped to shape the nation’s character,” he continued. “To receive them with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person.”

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