America’s First U.S.-Born Pope Gets a Very Special Birthday Honor
Quick Summary
On July 3, the eve of America’s 250th birthday, Pope Leo XIV received a prestigious award called the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia. Leo is the first pope ever to be born in the United States, and this was the first time any pope had ever received this honor. He gave a speech by video from Rome and ended with “God bless America!”
What Happened?
Every year, a museum in Philadelphia called the National Constitution Center gives out an award called the Liberty Medal. It goes to a person who has spent their life standing up for freedom and human dignity around the world. Past winners have included presidents, activists, and world leaders.
This year, the medal went to Pope Leo XIV. Leo was born Robert Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955. He grew up in the United States and later went to college at Villanova University, just outside Philadelphia. He became a Catholic priest and spent decades doing missionary work and religious leadership in Peru, South America, and eventually in Rome.
On May 8, 2025, he was elected as the leader of the Catholic Church — the pope. He chose the name Leo XIV. He is the first person born in the United States to ever hold that position. There are about 1.4 billion Catholics in the world, making this a very significant moment.
The ceremony took place on July 3, right outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This is the very building where, 250 years ago, America’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence. What a place to celebrate freedom!
Because Pope Leo is busy leading the Catholic Church from Rome, Italy, he could not fly to Philadelphia in person. Instead, he appeared on a large screen in a live video call — a bit like a very important video chat — and delivered his acceptance speech to the crowd gathered outside.
In his speech, he celebrated America’s founding ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He also prayed that America’s 250th birthday would inspire people to recommit to those ideals. He closed by saying, “May God bless America!”
The next day — July 4, America’s actual birthday — Leo traveled to a small Mediterranean island called Lampedusa, off the southern coast of Italy. Lampedusa is known as a place where many refugees and migrants arrive by boat, often on dangerous journeys seeking safety. Leo went there to call attention to the importance of helping vulnerable people. Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church before Leo, made a famous visit to Lampedusa in 2013 for the very same reason.
Why Does It Matter?
This was a first in many ways. It was the first time a pope ever received the Liberty Medal. It was also one of the most visible moments for Pope Leo XIV since he became pope just over a year ago. The ceremony was a special way to connect America’s birthday with big ideas about freedom, faith, and the responsibilities people have to help each other.
The fact that the first American-born pope received this award on America’s 250th birthday — from a museum steps away from where the Declaration of Independence was signed — made it a memorable, historic moment.
Big Words
- Liberty Medal: A prestigious award given every year to people who work to protect freedom and human dignity around the world; it has been given out since 1988.
- Pope: The leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, based in Vatican City in Rome, Italy.
- Missionary: A person who travels to other countries or regions to teach, help communities, and share their religious faith.
- Declaration of Independence: The document signed on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, in which America’s founders declared that the 13 colonies were a new, free nation.
- Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their home country because of danger, such as war or disaster, and is seeking safety somewhere new.
Fun Fact
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, right next to where the Liberty Medal ceremony was held, is the same building where both the Declaration of Independence AND the U.S. Constitution were signed. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site — an honor shared with the Great Wall of China and the Egyptian Pyramids!
Think About It
The Liberty Medal has been given to people from many different countries and backgrounds. What qualities do you think a person should have to deserve an award for protecting freedom?
Sources
- Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV awarded Liberty Medal: ‘God bless America’
- National Constitution Center — Liberty Medal 2026
- CNN — Pope Leo XIV receives Liberty Medal on Eve of America’s birthday
- National Catholic Reporter — Pope Leo to receive Liberty Medal from National Constitution Center on eve of US 250th
- The Hill — Pope Leo XIV celebrates America’s 250th in Liberty Medal award acceptance speech