Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez offered the following remarks July 3 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia during the Liberty Medal Ceremony where Pope Leo XIV was honored with the 38th annual Liberty Medal.
Established in 1988 and hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006, the award recognizes individuals and organizations who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe.
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“Today is one of great joy! On behalf of the Catholic Church in the Philadelphia region and all of Her people, I am honored to express profound gratitude as the Liberty Medal is conferred upon Pope Leo XIV.
This honor is a fitting recognition of the Holy Father’s longstanding dedication to advancing liberty for all people throughout the world, particularly the gift of religious freedom. His work as a priest, bishop, 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. His influence, however, extends far beyond Philadelphia.
As he shepherds 1 billion Catholics globally, the Holy Father is a world leader who places himself at the service of all humanity. He is gentle, humble, and kind. He is 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 a time marked by a desire for genuine encounter with all people and filled with the compassionate love of Jesus Christ. That love unconditionally embraces the stranger, the immigrant, the poor, the unhoused, the sick, those struggling with addiction, and all those in need. It does so without discrimination.
That’s more than a beautiful 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 recognizing and defending the dignity and 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 Humanitas, 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 abilities, wealth or position in life, nor on the right or wrong choices made; instead, it is 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 the benefit of all those who call America home. We are overjoyed by its decision to recognize Pope Leo XIV’s work with the Liberty Medal.
May we follow the Holy Father’s example and work to bring peace to our families, our communities, and our world. May God bless you all and God bless America. Thank you.”
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