Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the United States, characterized his relationship with America as secondary to his role leading the Catholic Church globally. In an interview with NBC at the papal retreat near Rome, Leo stated that he views his identity primarily through the lens of his position as head of the universal church rather than his American origins, though he emphasized deep affection for the country.
Leo highlighted aspects of the United States he values, including its historical emphasis on freedom, economic opportunity, and the immigration of people from around the world. He drew on his family background to illustrate his connection to American identity, noting that his grandparents were immigrants and that his maternal ancestry included both enslaved people and slave owners. The pontiff indicated that growing up in the United States shaped his values, which he continues to maintain.
The pope has taken several public positions regarding U.S. policy matters since his election. He has criticized the immigration policies of the Trump administration, characterizing them as inhumane. Additionally, Leo strongly condemned U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. Prior to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, he delivered remarks praising America’s tradition of welcoming immigrants while urging citizens to uphold the document’s founding principles, comments widely interpreted as criticism of Trump administration policies.
Leo marked July 4 with a visit to Lampedusa, an Italian island in the Mediterranean that serves as a major entry point for people crossing from North Africa seeking refuge in Europe. The pontiff has not yet accepted an invitation to visit the White House, extended by Vice President JD Vance during a Vatican meeting following Leo’s inaugural papal mass, though he indicated interest in visiting the United States in the future.
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