believe, question, seek, and live according to the dictates of their own conscience. As someone who has spent much of my professional life helping steward an institution dedicated to constitutional education and civil dialogue, I never cease to be struck by how extraordinary that achievement was. We often take religious liberty for granted because it is woven deeply into the fabric of American life. But the idea that people of different faiths and beliefs could live together as equal citizens under a shared constitutional order remains one of the most remarkable and consequential contributions of the American experiment.
That commitment to religious liberty has never been merely a constitutional provision. It has been a source of civic vitality throughout our nation's history. From the revolution to the abolitionist movement to the struggle for civil rights, Americans motivated by faith have called upon and challenged our nation to more fully realize its highest ideals. In one of the most remarkable statements of religious liberty in our nation's history, George Washington wrote to the Hebrew congregation in Newport, Rhode Island that the United States would give to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance. More than two centuries later, those words remain both a promise and a challenge. A vision of a society where human dignity is respected, conscience is protected, and people of different faiths can live together in freedom and mutual respect. It is that vision and the ongoing work of advancing it that brings us together today.
As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, it is especially meaningful that we gather to honor the first US-born Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. There is something deeply resonant about that milestone occurring at this moment in history. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were among America's earliest exports to the world, demonstrating that a free people could govern themselves. Those ideas traveled far beyond our shores and inspired democratic movements across generations and continents. Now, in a different but equally meaningful way, America has offered another gift to the world. A spiritual leader shaped by a nation founded on religious liberty, constitutional self-government, and the dignity of every individual. And for Philadelphians, there is an additional point of pride. Just as this city gave birth to the Declaration and the Constitution, Philadelphia also helped shape the life and ministry of Pope Leo the XIV. His years of study and service at Villanova University formed part of the journey that would ultimately lead him to the Vatican and to a position of global leadership.
Today, we honor Pope Leo the XIV not only for his historic role, but for a ministry that has embodied some of the highest aspirations of both faith and democracy. Through both word and deed, he has demonstrated how faith can inspire compassion, solidarity, and service. Affirming the dignity of every person, strengthening the bonds that unite communities, and reminding us that freedom finds its highest purpose when joined with moral responsibility and commitment to the flourishing of others. Those ideals helped launch the American experiment 250 years ago. They continue to sustain it today. And they remain among our nation's most important gifts to the world and to posterity. May we meet that responsibility with wisdom, courage, and humility. Preserving these freedoms not only for ourselves, but for those who will inherit this nation after us. And may future generations look back on this moment and say that we honored the promise of liberty, strengthened the bonds of civic friendship, and carried forward the enduring ideals that have inspired Americans and so many around the world for 250 years. Thank you.
Religious liberty finds its fullest expression not only in our founding documents, but in the faith communities and civic leaders who have put those ideals into practice. It is our honor to welcome two distinguished leaders whose service reflects that enduring tradition. Reverend Carolyn Cavaness, pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church, followed by Dr. Imam Kaiser Abdullah, director of the Mayor's Office of Muslim Engagement. Please join me in welcoming Reverend Cavaness, followed by Imam Abdullah.
Good morning. I greet you in the name of the God of liberation. The one who led Israel out of bondage and who sustained our founding black founding fathers and mothers through storms and struggles, and who still calls us towards freedom unrealized. I stand before you as the 53rd pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, which sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans purchased on October the 10th, 1791 by Bishop Richard and Flora Allen. But our story does not begin with a building. It begins with a walkout. In 1787, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones were pulled from their knees during prayer at St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church and told to worship in a segregated gallery. They got up and they walked out, not in anger alone, but in conscience. That same year, they founded the Free African Society, proving that religious liberty must be paired with communal dignity. While the Constitution was being drafted blocks away, they were building the architecture of a free people. So, when I speak of religious liberty, I do not speak of an abstract principle. I speak of a kneeler pulled from prayer. I speak of ancestors who built institutions of care when the nation would not. To His Holiness Pope Leo the 14th, our traditions sing different verses of the same liberation song. From the Vatican to Mother Bethel, we are bound by this conviction. Faith is most faithful when it serves the least, the last, and the left out. And as we mark this semiquincentennial, may we be stewards of the promise, not merely celebrants of an ideal. May every conscience be free, every voice valued, every child of God recognized as such. Not because we have perfected our union, but because we are still by grace perfecting it. Amen.
Good morning. As-salamu alaykum, shalom aleichem, pax vobiscum, paz y bien. Peace and blessings to all gathered on Independence Mall and joining online from around the world. To His Holiness Pope Leo the 14th, congratulations on receiving the 2026 Liberty Medal. We honor your commitment to religious liberty, freedom of conscience, and human dignity. To the National Constitution Center, Mayor Parker, Governor Shapiro, religious leaders, elected officials, and civic leaders, thank you. I bring greetings from the Mayor's Office of Muslim Engagement and Philadelphia's Muslim communities. On the eve of America's 250th anniversary, an anniversary should do more than invite celebration. They should invite examination. An examination of who has fully lived our ideals, who has struggled to be included, and what responsibility belongs to us who are seated here now. The Islamic tradition begins its reflection on liberty with a fundamental truth. Human dignity is sacred and inherent. The Quran declares, "We have certainly honored the children of Adam." Just verses before this statement, we see the devil looks upon Adam with contempt, resenting the honor that God has placed on the children of Adam. Yet in that same passage, God declares that he has in fact honored these descendants of Adam. The devil sees the human being as unworthy of that honor. God affirms the dignity he places within the human family. Dehumanization begins when pride, power, fear, or difference persuades us that another person is unworthy of the dignity that God has already placed in them. That dignity precedes citizenship, nationality, status, political power, and even agreement. Government does not create human dignity. At its best, government recognizes it, protects it, and builds the institutions that prevent the powerful from violating that dignity. Freedom of conscience flows from that dignity. Conscience is where we wrestle with truth, accept more responsibility, and stand accountable before the creator. Coercion cannot produce genuine faith. It only produces compliance. When fully realized, religious liberty protects moral agency. The freedom to worship, to question, to seek truth, to speak, and to live by that conviction without fear. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, he recognized this practical expression of that liberty in the principle of the establishment of the charter of Medina. That covenant and agreement did not erase difference or command uniformity. Instead, it ordered difference towards a shared responsibility, mutual protection, justice, and the common good. The images you see behind me show that this work is present here in Philadelphia under our illustrious mayor. It shows Muslims gathered in worship and service, young people and elders entering civic life, communities at City Hall, and partnerships centered on health, safety, opportunity, participation, and belonging. They are glimpses of liberty becoming visible, of dignity being recognized, of conscience being respected, and of communities being built across difference. Today, we honor Pope Leo XIV. May this moment renew our commitment to protect human dignity, to defend conscience, and to build the communities worthy of the liberty that we all proclaim. May there be salaam. May there be shalom. May there be le paix, le pay, shanti, and peace for all people. Thank you.
It is my distinct honor and pleasure to introduce two of my beloved beloved colleagues, Rabbi Jill Maderer and Reverend Luis A. Cortez Jr.
How powerful to be present with you right here at the location that bears witness to two different truths of George Washington, two different truths of our nation. Just west, George Washington's home, where he enslaved human beings. Just east, the museum that houses Washington's letter to the Jewish community. In 1790, when members of the Jewish community wrote to Washington seeking reassurance about their safety in the new republic, the president responded with words of religious liberty, words that I pray are meant for all people in his promise that the United States would give, quote, "To bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." And that all who lived under its government would sit in safety beneath their own vine and fig tree with none to make them afraid. A bold vision, still yet unfulfilled. To stand here together hauntingly demonstrates the complexity of democracy and the imperative to protect each other, to do the work of multi-faith solidarity in our own time, when Jews and other religious minorities and vulnerable identities face hatred, suspicion, and violence, we are called, all of us, to respond. And so, many have stood with my communities over the years. The ancient words of Jewish tradition teach, "The first person was created alone for the sake of peace among people, so that no one could say to another, 'My ancestor was greater than yours.'" Today, I pray for a renewed coalition in our city and throughout our nation for the sake of peace among people, that we might build on the moments of the past when we have stood together, that we might meet every hateful attack with courageous solidarity, and that we might commit to the kind of work that will keep us all safe, valued, and never alone. Holy One of blessing, may we who call God many different names and those who do not call to God at all proudly express our differences in this diverse nation, devote ourselves to understanding and protecting our neighbors, and may we see the divine in the eyes of every human being. For the sake of peace among may we strive for the day when, in the words of our prophet Micah, we may sit in safety beneath our own vine and fig tree, that none shall make us afraid. Amen.
Buenos dias. Religious liberty is one of the defining principles of my Baptist faith. The freedom to believe, to worship, to live according to one's conscience is protected by the first amendment of our Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of a national religion, and protects the free exercise of religion. These protections recognize a fundamental truth. Matters of faith are too sacred to be personal and to be controlled by government. The idea of freedom of conscience has deep roots in both scripture and American history. In Joshua 24:15, the people of Israel were challenged, "Choose this day whom you will serve." The call to follow God is presented as a choice rather than a command enforced by political authority. Likewise, Jesus taught, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's." These words establish an important distinction between the responsibilities of government and the authority of God over our human souls. Throughout history, many nations joined religious and political power. While it was intended to create unity, such arrangements frequently resulted in persecution, discrimination, and the suppression of dissent. Individuals who held different beliefs were often denied the freedom to worship according to their convictions. The American founders sought a different path. They drew upon various religious, philosophical, and political traditions, including strong advocacy of Baptists and other dissenting groups. They established a constitutional framework that protected the religious liberty of all citizens. Freedom of conscience is not simply the right to worship. It is the right to seek truth, to hold sincere convictions, and to practice your faith without coercion from the state. It protects people of every faith tradition, as well as those who profess no faith at all. In a diverse society, religious liberty creates space for peaceful coexistence while preserving the dignity of the individual. The dangers of a state religion remain as relevant today as they did in the past. When government favors one faith above others, both religion and liberty suffer. Faith can become a tool of political power, and those outside of favored traditions can lose equal standing in society. Religious conviction is strongest when it is freely chosen, not politically imposed. For this reason, freedom of faith and conscience remains one of America's greatest safeguards of liberty. A free society depends upon protecting the right of every person to respond to God according to the dictates of their conscience, free from coercion, and secure in the protections of the Constitution. Thank you.
It is my pleasure to introduce Archbishop of Philadelphia Nelson Perez.
Today is one day of great, great joy. On behalf of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia region and all her people, I'm honored to express profound gratitude as the Liberty Medal is conferred on Pope Leo the 14th. This honor is a fitting recognition of the Holy Father's long-standing dedication to advancing liberty for all people throughout the world, particularly the gift of religious freedom. His work as a priest, a bishop, a cardinal, and now shepherd of the universal church has always focused on uplifting the inherent dignity of all people and building pathways to peace. Philly is proud that the Pope is a graduate of Villanova University who spent time living and working in our region. Pope Leo knows us and we feel like we know him, too. His influence, however, extends beyond Philadelphia. He shepherds a billion Catholics globally. The Holy Father is a world leader who places himself at the service of all humanity. He's gentle, humble, and kind. He's also a man of deep faith and extraordinary intellectual ability who understands the rich diversity of the global community and the complex challenges our world faces. Pope Leo is a true gift to everyone. His papacy, just over a year old, has already been marked by a desire for genuine encounter with all people and filled with a compassionate love of Jesus Christ. That love unconditionally embraces the stranger, the immigrant, the poor, the sick, the unhoused, those struggling with addiction, and all those in need. It does so without discrimination. That's a more beautiful than ideal. It's a mission to which we are all called. When we fulfill it, we lift barriers preventing our brothers and sisters from experiencing the fruits of freedom and liberty. Our nation was born here in Philadelphia 250 years ago. Today, we are especially mindful of the revolutionary vision that gave rise to the United States of America. Our founding fathers recognized that true freedom stems from defending dignity and the value of every human being. We share a common responsibility to further that vision. Let us embrace that responsibility with happy hearts. As the Holy Father expressed so eloquently in his recent encyclical, Magnificat Humanitatis, which I encourage all to read and reflect upon, created for relationship, every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with him, with others, and with creation. Human dignity does not depend on a person's ability or wealth or position in life, nor on the right or wrong choices made. Instead, it is a gift, a gift that precedes and transcends each person endowed by God as an expression of his unfailing love. The National Constitution Center serves as a beacon of hope by promoting the importance of the Constitution's ideals for all to benefit and call America home. We are overjoyed in its decision to recognize Pope Leo the 13th work with the Liberty Medal. May we follow the Holy Father's example and work to bring peace to our families, our communities, our world, our own hearts. And yes, may God bless you all and God bless America. Que Dios lo bendiga a todos. Muchas gracias.
Thank you, Archbishop Perez. Our next speaker leads the Commonwealth where William Penn established a bold vision of religious liberty, welcoming people of different faiths to live together in peace, and helping lay the foundation for one of America's most enduring ideals. Governor Josh Shapiro has championed Pennsylvania's and Philadelphia's central role in America's 250th anniversary, helping showcase the Commonwealth's remarkable history to the nation and to the world. Please join me in welcoming the governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro.
Good morning, Philadelphia. Vince, thank you for not just the kind introduction. Thank you for your strong leadership here in one of the most important institutions in the United States of America, the National Constitution Center. I want to thank our history-making mayor and my friend Mayor Parker for her strong leadership every day, but particularly as the world's eyes focus on the city of Philadelphia. To our elected leaders, to our faith leaders, thank you for being here today. It is fitting that we gather here at the National Constitution Center, a place that celebrates our collective rights and our individual freedoms. With leaders from all different backgrounds and faith traditions coming together to recognize a religious leader who has made an extraordinary impact on our world. Someone who has devoted his life to religious liberty and done so much to protect that freedom not just for people of the Catholic faith, but for people all across the globe. It was here in Pennsylvania, as Vince noted, just a few miles down the Delaware River, that our founder, William Penn, set out to establish our Commonwealth as one of the few places at the time that would be warm and welcoming to people of all different faiths. A place that would be defined by individual freedom, most notably the freedom to worship as you wish. A century later, 250 years ago tomorrow, our founding fathers gathered just across the way to declare their independence from a king and to build on the foundation of individual liberty that Penn laid right here in Pennsylvania, declaring not just their independence, but that each of us have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. About a decade later, their independence won, delegates from across our new nation gathered in that very same room, the old Pennsylvania State House, to draft, to debate, and design the new US Constitution and subsequently the Bill of Rights. In drafting the Constitution, they made sure that the very first amendment would protect the freedom of religion for all Americans. You see, religious liberty has been a foundational value for Pennsylvania and for our nation since the very beginning. And that remains the case today. Two and a half centuries later, I'm proud to be here today as your governor, as a man of faith, to recommit ourselves to the cause of religious freedom and to recognize His Holiness Pope Leo the 14th for his extraordinary leadership. As the first American Pope and someone who we all know and feel proud to know was educated here in Pennsylvania in the Augustinian tradition of Villanova University. Pope Leo has consistently used his powerful platform on the world stage to assert that religious freedom is an essential right for all people. He has reaffirmed the dignity of every human being, no matter how they choose to worship. On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the cradle of liberty and the birthplace of our democracy, thank you, Pope Leo, for using your voice and your power to advance religious liberty for all people. My own faith calls me to service. My faith teaches me that no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it. To me, that is universal. And it means that each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines, to get in the game, and to do our part to serve others and work to advance the cause of freedom. And I believe that work is needed, especially at this particular moment in time. Pope Leo, throughout his life, has exemplified that spirit of service, from his days of Villanova to his days now at the Vatican, caring for our neighbors around the world and standing up for the freedom our founding fathers fought for 250 years ago. So, as we celebrate the 250th July 4th of our independence and the freedoms that our founders fought for with the example laid by William Penn, we are proud to honor Pope Leo the 14th and his work to protect religious liberty across the world. Thank you for your leadership and the example you set every day. May God watch over and bless Pope Leo the 14th. May God watch over and bless the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And may God watch over and bless the greatest country on the face of the earth, the United States of America, and all of its inhabitants. Thank you.
Thank you, Governor Shapiro. Earlier this spring, I had the extraordinary privilege of traveling to the Vatican with a delegation from the National Constitution Center, including Archbishop Perez, to present the 2026 Liberty Medal to His Holiness Pope Leo the 14th. It was a remarkable trip. We came as a multi-faith group of civic leaders, representing an institution grounded in the American constitutional tradition, and committed to advancing civil dialogue across differences. In that setting, the principles at the heart of our work, freedom of conscience, human dignity, and the responsibilities of self-government, felt both deeply American and broadly shared across traditions. But before we hear directly from His Holiness, I'd like to share a brief look back at that unforgettable day at the Vatican.
Pick these out for us.
It's not a big deal at all.
