Pope Francis will stand behind the same lectern used by Abraham Lincoln during The Gettysburg Address when he delivers a speech on immigration and religious liberty at Independence Hall.
Standing within eyeshot of the Liberty Bell, Pope Francis will use the lectern while addressing thousands of people gathered along Independence Mall on Saturday, Sept. 26, Union League of Philadelphia President Bob Ciaruffoli announced Friday.
"In so many ways, past is prologue," Ciaruffoli said. "Just as Lincoln addressed the most important issues of his time from this lectern, so too will Pope Francis."
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Pope Francis' speech outside Independence Hall is among the most-anticipated events on his first United States trip, which includes preceding stops in Washington and New York.
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all man are created equal."
The remainder of Lincoln's speech paid homage to the soldiers who lost their lives fighting at Gettsyburg — a critical victory for the Union Army — and called for the North to continue efforts to preserve the United States.
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
At the time of the Gettysburg Address, the lectern was owned by Michael Jacobs, a professor at the College of Pennsylvania, now known as Gettysburg College.
Jacobs lent the lectern to Edward Everett, a retired politician who was delivering the main address at the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery. Jacobs used the lectern to hold his papers while completing a two-hour speech.
He then gave way to Lincoln, whose 272-word speech became one of the most iconic moments in United States history.
But what is the lectern's connection to Independence Hall and Pope Francis?
"For Abraham Lincoln, there was no place more sacred than Independence Hall," said John Meko, executive director for the Foundations of the Union League. "He spoke of and wrote about the events that took place there — (which) resulted in the Declaration and the Constitution — often."
Lincoln visited Independence Hall twice during his life. After his assassination, his body laid there in state as more than 300,000 people paid respect.
Lincoln first attended Independence Hall during the Whig Party's national convention in 1848. He again visited on George Washington's birthday in 1861, delivering impromptu remarks with the nation on the brink of civil war.
"He then walked outside and gave a short speech upon the raising of the American flag," Meko said. "The spot that Abraham Lincoln gave this speech will be a few, short feet away from where Pope Francis will deliver his address."
The lectern is believed only to have been used twice since it was added to Joseph Howard Wert's Civil War relic collection in the mid-1800s, said Jim Mundy, director of education and programming for the Foundations of the Union League. It was used to honor the centennial anniversary of the Gettysburg battle in 1963 and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address in 2013.
The lectern is on a long-term loan to the Union League's Abraham Lincoln Foundation, which includes manuscripts, books and artifacts. It can be freely viewed by the public at the foundation's Sir John Templeton Heritage Center on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
"What a full circle moment in history to have this transformative global leader deliver one of the most anticipated speeches in his U.S. visit from the lectern of Abraham Lincoln, who was perhaps the most transformative president in American history and spoke in our commonwealth approximately 150 years ago," Ciaruffoli said.
After speaking at Independence Hall, Pope Francis will head to Eakins Oval to participate in the Festival of Families on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.