Religious freedom at the heart of Metropolitan Saint Francis' message for the 4th of Julytranslated

Every year on the 4th of July, the United States celebrates its Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, which was adopted in 1776. In 2026, however, the celebration takes on special symbolism, as it marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the American state. Religious freedom is at the heart of Metropolitan St. Francis' video message for the 4th of July. His Holiness presents the anniversary as a milestone that rarely occurs in a nation's history. His Holiness notes that two and a half centuries ago "a small band of determined men assembled in Philadelphia" and, risking life, property, and honor, signed a proclamation that was to change the world.

Thus, he invites the faithful, between the fireworks and the gatherings with relatives and friends, to stand for a while in front of the "extraordinary gift" of the country. The words of the Declaration, he notes, still move: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which the...