Pope Leo XIV to Accept Liberty Medal Remotely from Rome, Skips US 250th Celebrations

• Pope Leo XIV will accept the Liberty Medal on July 3 via remote broadcast from Rome.
• He will not travel to the US for its 250th birthday celebrations, despite an invitation from President Donald Trump.
• The first American pope will spend July 4 on Lampedusa, focusing on migrant issues, following Pope Francis's footsteps.
• Honored for promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience, ideals enshrined in America’s First Amendment.
• Born Robert F Prevost, raised in Chicago, and a Villanova University alumnus (1977).