Pope Leo
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The Chicago-born pontiff urged Americans to find “common ground” and cultivate “unity,” while emphasizing how “successive waves of immigrants” have “shaped the future of the country,” in a video broadcast live at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
“I hope that this tradition will continue to bear fruit in a public debate marked by moderation, respect for the opinions of others and a constant desire to find common ground to promote the cause of peace and reconciliation,” he said.
The pope, who received the National Constitution Center’s 2026 Liberty Medal, wore it around his neck during his speech. This gold medal distinguishes each year personalities or organizations engaged in the defense of freedom, human rights, democracy or human dignity.
Although he never directly quotes Donald Trump, this speech seems to refer to certain positions of the American president, to whom Leo XIV has repeatedly opposed in recent months, criticizing in particular the severe repression of immigration in the United States as well as the war against Iran.
In April, Mr. Trump lambasted the pope, calling him “weak” on crime and “bad” on foreign policy, to which the head of the Catholic Church responded by saying he was not “afraid” of the Trump administration.
Defending liberty and religious freedom as fundamental principles that have shaped American identity, Leo
The pope expressed hope that the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence would be an occasion for a “solemn renewed commitment” to the founding ideals of the United States.
