Originally published at National Catholic Register

The Holy Father’s remarks were read at the 2026 Canterbury Medal Gala, an annual event held by the nonprofit law firm that represents clients who are defending their religious liberty in court.

PHILADELPHIA — Affirming that the right to religious freedom is “the cornerstone of any just society,” Pope Leo XIV praised the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty for more than 30 years of “great efforts to defend this right” in a message to the organization delivered on June 11.

The Holy Father offered the commendation to participants at the 2026 Canterbury Medal Gala, an annual event held by the nonprofit law firm that represents clients defending their religious liberty in court. The message, dated June 4, was read by Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez.

“By ensuring that all men and women are free to act in conformity with the dictates of their conscience and to practice their faith openly, without coercion or fear, you work to safeguard the inviolable dignity of the human person,” Pope Leo XIV said in his message to the group, which was read by Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez on June 11, 2026. | Credit: Courtesy of Becket Fund

Leo noted that the defense

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