During a recent interview, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the aspects of America that he loves and the country’s history of welcoming migrants.
When asked what he thinks of being the first “American Pope,” Pope Leo clarified that he thinks of himself more “as the Pope who happens to be American,” adding that he does not mean to belittle what it means to be American. “I was born in the United States. My family is still in the United States. I have great love for America,” he said. “I understand my mission as having a very important dimension, which is precisely being pastor of a universal Church and having a voice and an opportunity to speak to people throughout the world.”
Asked what he loves about America, the Pope spoke about the principles of “what America stands for, the sense of freedom, the sense of opportunity, the sense of having invited, for generations, people from around the world to be part of America.”
The Pope also noted that his own grandparents were immigrants to the United States. “There’s a history of, if you will, growing up and the kind of experience that helps me to recognize it as one of the greatest wealths of the United States,” he said, “and I continue to hold the principles that have been a part of being American for so many years that that will continue.”
The Pope said that he may be visiting the U.S. in “the next couple of years… Nothing is set in stone yet, but I certainly hope to be there soon.”
Click here to read more from Vatican News.