Piotr Kowalczuk
The Pope emphasized that receiving the Medal of Freedom on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence is a special honor for him. He assured his prayers that the noble ideals enshrined in the Declaration may continue to serve the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice, and peace.
Human dignity precedes states
Leo XIV referred to the words of the Declaration that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” He stressed that this assertion is based on an understanding of the human person inspired by the great biblical vision of man and woman created in the image of God. He pointed out that “it is precisely here that we discover the foundation of human dignity; a dignity that precedes the formation of any state.”
Land of the free and home of the brave
He recalled that America, thanks to the founding fathers of the independent state, and also thanks to its openness to successive waves of migrants, became a symbol of freedom throughout the world. He added that “It was this love of freedom that inspired the United States, in the darkest hours of the last century, at the cost of great sacrifices, to fight for freedom beyond its own borders.”
He warned that the effort to affirm and realize the ideals of freedom and justice must be renewed in every generation and in the face of new challenges. He expressed hope that the United States would remain faithful to the dream that made it considered the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The first right is the right to life
And the first right consecrated by the founders of the nation was the right to life and dignity: “It is this respect that we must constantly cultivate – a respect that moves the hearts of individuals and inspires laws recognizing and protecting the gift of life from conception to natural death,” said the Holy Father.
It is in this that the moral greatness of a nation is manifested – above all in its ability to support, protect, and care for the life of every human being, especially the most vulnerable and those whose value is sometimes questioned – said the Pope.
He pointed out that, in accordance with the right to life, freedom was and remains paramount among principles. As he said, this same freedom also ensures everyone the right to practice religion according to their own faith, and for individuals, communities, and associations to publicly express their faith. He expressed hope that this tradition would continue to bear fruit in public discourse, marked by moderation, respect for the views of others, and a constant effort to find common ground in promoting the cause of peace and reconciliation at home and abroad.
Ideals should unite us
Leo XIV indicated that for a nation to flourish, it must be truly united; united not by goals limited to immediate undertakings, but by ideals that do not fade with time. “May the principles we have reflected upon today” – said the Pope – “common human dignity, equality, and the rights defined in the Declaration of Independence – always be a source of such unity and a guiding light for the present moment and for the days to come.”
The Pope recalled the American motto: E pluribus unum – out of many, one.
Leo XIV concluded his speech with the words: “May God bless America.”
