By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted March 16, 2026

On Monday, March 16, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, along with leaders from the City of Philadelphia, the Wawa Welcome America festival, and the National Constitution Center, participated in a news conference announcing that Pope Leo XIV will receive the National Constitution Center’s 38th annual Liberty Medal. The pope will accept the award virtually from Rome on July 3. The announcement comes as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary. See our photo gallery below and read our full coverage of the event. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez is pictured with organizers from the City of Philadelphia and the Wawa Welcome America festival at a March 16 news conference announcing that Pope Leo XIV will receive the National Constitution Center’s prestigious 2026 Liberty Medal in Rome on July 3.

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez offers remarks at the March 16 news conference announcing Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 Liberty Medal.

  • Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, speaks at the podium during the March 16 news conference announcing Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 Liberty Medal.

  • Vince Stango, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, and Brian Schaller, president of Wawa, at the March 16 news conference.

  • David Dee of Mitchell & Ness, Vince Stango of the National Constitution Center, Brian Schaller, president of Wawa, and Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez.

  • Michael DelBene, president and chief executive officer of Welcome America Inc., speaks at the March 16 news conference.

  • Miss America Cassie Donegan and Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez

  • Jazelle Jones, City of Philadelphia Representative

  • Brian Schaller, president of Wawa, speaks at the March 16 news conference.

  • Miss America Cassie Donegan sings at the March 16 news conference announcing Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 Liberty Medal.

  • Miss America Cassie Donegan

  • Michael DelBene, president and chief executive officer of Welcome America Inc., speaks at the March 16 news conference.