Pope Leo XIV to Receive 38th Annual Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center
Villanova University, the Holy Father's alma mater, joins the National Constitution Center in recognizing his commitment to religious liberty, human dignity and the common good
VILLANOVA, PA. (June 23, 2026) – On July 3, 2026, the eve of the nation's 250th anniversary, the National Constitution Center (NCC) will present Pope Leo XIV with the 38th annual Liberty Medal during a ceremony at Philadelphia's Independence Mall. The American-born Pontiff will deliver remarks via video during the hour-long event, which will honor his longstanding advocacy for religious liberty, freedom of conscience and human dignity.
The Liberty Medal recognizes men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the world. The honor reflects the values that have shaped Pope Leo’s life and leadership: his Augustinian formation, global pastoral experience and American roots. In addition to being the first Pope born in the United States, he is also the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to lead the Catholic Church.
Villanova University, an Augustinian Catholic institution and one of the event's co-sponsors, shares a special connection with His Holiness. Pope Leo, then Robert Prevost, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova in 1977, and the University later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2014.
“St. Augustine reminds us that meaningful civic discourse begins with respect for one another and a shared search for truth,” said Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. “In honoring our Holy Father with this award, we recognize not only his lifelong witness to the dignity of every person and the common good, but also the deep and enduring connections among our nation’s founding ideals, the Augustinian tradition and Catholic social teaching.”
Photo Credit: Vatican Media
The location of the Liberty Medal ceremony, as well as this year's honoree, underscores the historic ties between the ideals of the nation’s founding and the Augustinian tradition. In 1796, just blocks from Independence Hall, President George Washington contributed funds to help build St. Augustine's Church, the first Augustinian church in the United States. The Augustinians of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova later founded Villanova College (now Villanova University) in 1842. Just two years later, anti-Catholic riots led to the burning of St. Augustine's Church and the temporary closure of the College, illustrating the challenges religious communities faced even as the young nation worked to realize its promise of religious freedom.
In a message to Villanova University’s Class of 2026, Pope Leo referenced words penned in the Declaration of Independence and later ratified in the Constitution and its amendments, expressing hope that the graduates would “always be faithful to the guiding light that has been so important for these 250 years.”
Pope Leo joins a distinguished list of Liberty Medal recipients who have been recognized for their work and dedication to preserving freedom throughout the world since 1989. He will be joined at the ceremony by civic leaders, representatives of diverse faith traditions and members of the public, who will reflect on how America's founding ideals continue to resonate in a global context 250 years later.
The ceremony, including Pope Leo’s remarks, will be livestreamed for attendees and online through the NCC’s website.
About the National Constitution Center: The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, we serve as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling our congressional charter “to disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a nonpartisan basis in order to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” As the Museum of We the People, we bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, we convene leading thought leaders from across the political and jurisprudential spectrum to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, we offer the best educational programs and online resources that inspire and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution.
About the Liberty Medal: The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Given annually, the medal honors individuals and organizations of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. A full list of all past recipients is available here.
About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit our website.