The award recognizes Pope Leo's lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of expression, ideals valued by the founding fathers in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Chicago-born Pope, who graduated from Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia, took part virtually and delivered his acceptance remarks live from the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV receives the Liberty Medal during Philadelphia ceremony
The ceremony included a video from April, showing a delegation from Philadelphia - including National Constitution Center President Vince Stango and Archbishop of Nelson Perez - visiting the pope at the Vatican.
They presented the pope with gifts such as a Villanova University scarf, banner and hat. Archbishop Perez also had a Wawa bag in tow.
The pope then delivered a speech live from the Vatican, talking about life liberty and the pursuit of happiness - plus the importance of protecting those rights and promoting peace.
"In order for a nation to flourish, it must be truly united. United not by goals bound to momentary endeavors, but by ideals that do not fade with the passing of time," he said.
"In accepting this award, I therefore pray that this, the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great nation, may be the occasion of the solemn recommitment to these ideals, that made America a country that values peace and prosperity, a country that is characterized by generosity and nobility of heart," he continued.
Friday's ceremony was originally planned to be held outdoors on Independence Mall, but was moved inside the National Constitution Center due to the extreme heat.
The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution.
Past recipients include Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Bono, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, Stephen Spielberg, and the Dalai Lama.
For more information, visit ConstitutionCenter.org.