Pope Urges US to Uphold Founding Principles

Pope Leo XIV has urged the United States to remain faithful to its founding principles as the country prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its independence. In a video address to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, he also praised the nation's tradition of welcoming immigrants.

The pope, who received the center's Medal of Freedom at the Vatican, said the name America had become synonymous with freedom around the world because of the country's openness to immigrants.

He expressed hope that the ideals of unity, justice and peace embraced by the nation's founders would continue to guide the United States.

“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", he said.

The pope also called for laws that would “recognize and protect” human life from conception to natural death. He said a nation's moral greatness is measured above all by its ability to protect every life, especially the most vulnerable.

He did not mention President Donald Trump or any other US politicians. Instead, he called on Americans to unite and pursue long-term solutions to the country's challenges.

(Reuters, bak)