VATICAN CITY - In his first significant address directed at his country of origin, Pope Leo used a video appearance on Friday to praise the United States' longstanding practice of welcoming immigrants and to call for renewed fidelity to the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
Delivering remarks live from the Vatican to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia while receiving the Center's Liberty Medal, the pope described the name "America" as a "byword for freedom" worldwide, attributing that reputation to the nation's reception of immigrants.
The pope, identified in the address as the first U.S. pontiff and previously critical of President Donald Trump's immigration approach, reiterated his description of hardline anti-immigrant policies as "inhuman." In this address he urged Americans to live up to the ideals articulated by the nation's founders.
Speaking as the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary, the pope said he hoped the Founding Fathers' commitments to "unity, justice and peace" would continue to guide the country. He emphasized the anniversary as a moment for reflection on the nation's founding principles and for striving to remain true to the aspirations that earned the United States the description "land of the free and home of the brave."
"This historic anniversary presents us with the opportunity to reflect once again on the nation’s founding principles in the hope that America will remain ever true to the dream that has earned it the title of land of the free and home of the brave," the pope said in the video message.
The address combined a recognition of America's immigrant heritage with a moral appeal for the country to align its actions with the rhetoric of freedom and inclusion. By accepting the Liberty Medal via a live transmission from the Vatican, the pope framed his remarks within the context of civic commemoration and public recognition.
Details in the address reiterated previously stated views on immigration policy, linking moral critique and civic aspiration as the United States marked its milestone anniversary.