PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Faith leaders and dignitaries are gathering at the National Constitution Center Friday morning, where Pope Leo will accept the Liberty Medal in a live video address from the Vatican. This year’s ceremony was moved indoors because of the extreme heat, and is open to invited guests only.
Technically, Pope Leo already has his Liberty Medal. Interim National Constitution Center President Vince Stango gave it to him three months ago.
“We had an opportunity, a small delegation, to go to the Vatican back in April and physically present him the medal. He was clearly very honored and humbled,” he said.
The Liberty Medal is presented each year to someone who promotes liberty across the world.
“As a U.S.-born pope, [he] understands the magnitude of the moment, of the commemoration of the 250th, and just spoke beautifully about the connection between the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and human rights across the world,” Stango said.
On the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary, the pontiff will formally accept the 38th Liberty Medal through a livestream from the Vatican.
“It’ll be the first time, as we understand it, that the pope will be addressing the full American public live since becoming pope,” Stango noted.
Because the ceremony was moved indoors, there won’t be outdoor video screens showing the event; it will be livestreamed on the National Constitution Center’s YouTube channel.
The National Constitution Center ceremony was moved indoors because of the extreme heat
The National Constitution Center ceremony was moved indoors because of the extreme heat
