Pope Francis urges United States to reaffirm commitment to life and human dignity

Pope Francis, the first pontiff born in the United States, addressed a remote audience on 3 July 2026 during an event at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia. He received the centre’s annual Medal of Freedom and used the occasion, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, to call on the United States to return to its founding ideals of protecting life and human dignity.

The pope highlighted the moral measure of a nation, urging the U.S. to “support, protect and nurture the lives of all, especially the most vulnerable.” He referenced the treatment of migrants, noting the contrast with the Trump administration’s policies, and mentioned his planned visit on 4 July to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a major entry point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty. Francis appealed for a renewed commitment to the principles enshrined in the First Amendment and the biblical call for dignified treatment of migrants.