Pope urges US to uphold founding ideals

VATICAN CITY:

Pope Leo used his first major address to the United States since becoming pontiff to praise the country's long tradition of welcoming immigrants while urging Americans to remain faithful to the ideals of freedom, unity and justice as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of its founding.

Speaking by live video from the Vatican after receiving the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Friday, the Chicago-born pope said America's historic commitment to immigrants had made its name synonymous with freedom around the world.

"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.

Pope Leo said he hoped the principles of "unity, justice and peace" embraced by the nation's founding fathers would continue to guide the United States as it celebrated the milestone anniversary.