On the eve of America’s birthday, the first American pope takes center stage | CNN

Reverend Paul Galetto says there has been a swell of enthusiasm for Pope Leo XIV across the greater Philadelphia region since his election. “The people love having somebody who better relates to them and understands them,” the leader of St. Paul Parish in the heart of South Philly told CNN this week. So, Galetto was delighted to learn that the first American pope would be speaking live and receiving an award less than two miles from his church, on the eve of the nation’s 250th birthday. A perfect fit, he argues, for this moment in the United States. “I’m glad that the committee had the courage to select Pope Leo for the award, because if there’s anybody that wants to speak about freedom, it is he,” said Galetto. On Friday, Pope Leo formally accepted the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center, a non-partisan non-profit located across from Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The pontif spoke to a large multi-faith audience at the center, in full view of Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers declared independence from Great Britain 250 years ago. In his acceptance speech, broadcast on a huge screen, the pope called for