2026 Liberty Medal Ceremony Honoring Pope Leo XIV

0:00 Introduction 2:25 Welcome - Vince Stango, Interim President & CEO, National Constitution Center 4:00 Remarks - The Honorable Cherelle L. Parker, Mayor, City of Philadelphia 8:32 Ringing of the National Liberty Museum's Replica Liberty Bell, Led by National Liberty Museum President and CEO Dr. Alaine K. Arnott and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday 9:50 Remarks - Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday 12:33 Remarks - Vince Stango, Interim President & CEO, National Constitution Center 17:52 Remarks - The Reverend Carolyn C. Cavaness, Pastor, Mother Bethel AME Church; Board Member, Interfaith Philadelphia 20:23 Remarks - Imam Quaiser D. Abdullah, Ph.D, Director, Mayor’s Office of Muslim Engagement; Board Member, Interfaith Philadelphia 25:00 Remarks - Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Rodeph Shalom; Board Member, Interfaith Philadelphia 28:56 Remarks - The Reverend Luis A. Cortes Jr., Founder, President, CEO of Esperanza, Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia, Member of Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia 32:37 Remarks - The Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez, D.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia; Co-Convener, Religious Leaders Council, Interfaith Philadelphia 37:11 Remarks - The Honorable Josh Shapiro, Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 44:14 Presentation of the Liberty Medal - Video of Delegation at the Vatican 49:05 Acceptance Remarks - His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Live Address from the Vatican 59:52 Closing - Vince Stango, Interim President & CEO, National Constitution Center 1:01:40 "America, the Beautiful" - Performed by Cathedral Basilica Choir, Archdiocesan Choir of Philadelphia On July 3, 2026, the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the National Constitution Center awarded the 38th annual Liberty Medal to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his 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 ceremony took place at the National Constitution Center, steps from Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, the ceremony brought together civic and faith leaders, as well as visitors from Philadelphia, across the nation, and around the world, to reflect on how the promise that individuals may worship freely, speak openly, and live according to their own convictions has strengthened civic life in the United States and inspired movements for human dignity and freedom around the globe. Pope Leo XIV delivered live acceptance remarks virtually from the Vatican. Below is a list of confirmed ceremony participants: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (virtual) Vince Stango, Interim President and CEO, National Constitution Center Imam Quaiser D. Abdullah, Ph.D., Director, Mayor’s Office of Muslim Engagement; Board Member, Interfaith Philadelphia The Reverend Carolyn C. Cavaness, Pastor, Mother Bethel AME Church; Board Member, Interfaith Philadelphia The Reverend Luis A. Cortés Jr., Founder, President, CEO of Esperanza, Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia, Member of Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Rodeph Shalom; Board Member, Interfaith Philadelphia The Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia; Co-Convener, Religious Leaders Council, Interfaith Philadelphia The Cathedral Basilica Choir and The Archdiocesan Choir of Philadelphia Additional civic and community leaders to be announced The Liberty Medal is made possible thanks to support from corporations, foundations, and individuals with proceeds going to further the work of the National Constitution Center. Thank you to prize sponsors Ira M. Lubert & Pamela Estadt, and to the 2026 Liberty Medal underwriters: Citizens Doug and Maria DeVos The James and Agnes Kim Foundation Kenneth C. Griffin Griffin Catalyst The 2026 Liberty Medal Ceremony is made possible by: City of Philadelphia Comcast NBCUniversal Wawa Welcome America Interfaith Philadelphia Villanova University For a full list of sponsors, please visit https://constitutioncenter.org/about/... Explore additional America’s 250th resources https://constitutioncenter.org/americ... Subscribe to the National Constitution Center on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Constitu... Register for upcoming programs: https://constitutioncenter.org/news-d... Visit our media library to discover more online classes, podcasts, and Town Hall conversations: https://constitutioncenter.org/news-d... Follow the National Constitution Center on social media: Facebook:   / constitutionctr   X: https://x.com/ConstitutionCtr Instagram:   / constitutionctr