Pope Leo XIV is speaking to the National Constitution Center live from the Vatican. Here’s what to know.
The U.S.-born pope declined a visit to the nation for its 250th birthday, but his livestreamed speech on Friday will ensure he's part of Philly's celebrations.
Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal on Friday, delivering remarks live from the Vatican that will be broadcastinside the Sixth and Arch building.
The U.S.-born pontiff’s speech is a major addition to Philadelphia’s already extensive lineup of activities and events on the eve of the United States’ 250th birthday on July Fourth.
His speech will be particularly anticipated in Philadelphia given the Semiquincentennial and Leo’s deep ties to the Philly area.
The Catholic leader has garnered attention for clashing with President Donald Trump’s administration, which will be further exemplified by his visit with migrants on Independence Day.
His award acceptance speech also comes just two days after traditionalist Catholics in Switzerland defied him by consecrating bishops without his consent, which Leo called “a sin of extreme gravity,” the Associated Press reported.
His Friday remarks were initially going to be broadcast on Independence Mall but it was moved inside due to extreme heat.
Here’s what to know ahead of his Liberty Medal speech.
What are Pope Leo’s connections to the Philly area?
Not only is he the first U.S.-born pope, but he has connections to the Philly area – despite being from Chicago.
Leo graduated from Villanova University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He later received an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2014 from the Augustinian university.
Those who knew him at the time described him as a Midwesterner with a sense of humor who was tuned in to global issues like immigration and poverty – and like anyone who goes to Villanova, a big basketball fan. He worked part-time at St. Denis Catholic Church in Havertown as part of the cemetery maintenance crew during his studies.
In May, he passed along a surprise commencement message to this year’s graduates. In that message, he fittingly referenced America’s 250th anniversary.
“May the graduates of 2026 always be faithful to the guiding light that has been so important for these 250 years,” Leo said.
Last month, a delegation from Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center met with Leo at the Vatican to present him with the medal. They would have been remiss to forget to celebrate his Philly connections.
So they brought him a few local goodies: a bundle of Villanova swag, a replica of George Washington’s Acts of Congress, and, best of all, a Wawa tote bag filled with Tastykakes.
Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the Constitution Center, said the visit had “a real Philadelphia vibe that was unmistakable.”
What’s the Liberty Medal?
The Liberty Medal has been presented by the nonpartisan National Constitution Center since 2006, offering the esteemed prize to individuals and organizations who “strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe.”
In Leo’s case, he’s receiving the award because of his work in promoting religious liberty.
Previous recipients of the award include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the late U.S. Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), and the late civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D., Ga.).
How do I watch?
The National Constitution Center is streaming the ceremony live on its YouTube channel at 10:45 a.m. NBC10 will also broadcast the awards.
The event was originally supposed to be on Independence Mall, but due to the heat was moved inside to the Center. Tickets to the event were previously made available to the public and other invited guests.
What’s going on with the pope and Trump?
Trump invited the pontiff to visit the United States on July Fourth to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. He declined.
Instead, the pope will spend Independence Day visiting Lampedusa, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea located between Tunisia, Malta, and Sicily. It‘s a major entry point for migrants seeking refuge in Europe from North Africa. It’s one of the deadliest migration paths in the world, Reuters reported.
Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, visited the island in 2013.
Francis, who was close with Leo, also clashed with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on issues like immigration, and that tension has continued under the new pontiff.
The pope said in November that the United States has been treating migrants “in a way that is extremely disrespectful” under the Trump administration. A month prior, he suggested that the United States’ treatment of immigrants is “inhumane.”
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, said this week on Fox News that he finds the Vatican’s immigration views “troubling,” saying that “mass migration has victims.”
Leo was also outspoken in his opposition to Trump’s war in Iran, and the Vatican declined to participate in Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza.
Trump has not held back on his criticism of the Pope, calling him “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” in an April social media rant. He faced condemnation from Catholics — who have found themselves taking a side between the pope and the president — after sharing a now-deleted image of himself presented as Jesus.
It will be telling whether Leo leans into his disagreements with the Trump administration, whether directly or indirectly, during his speech on Friday.
