In an interview with an American broadcaster, Pope Leo XIV has highlighted the importance of immigration to the history of the United States and hinted that he could visit the country of his birth in the next couple of years. Source: Vatican News.
On the heels of his vacation period in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV granted a brief interview to broadcaster NBC on Wednesday evening after a prayer event for peace with musical accompaniment by Andrea Bocelli and children from around the world.
In the interview, Pope Leo spoke about the aspects of America that he loves and the country’s history of welcoming migrants.
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.
Rather, he added, “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.”
At the same time, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged that, for himself and for the people of the United States, there is obviously “great significance in being the first American Pope”.
He noted that his own grandparents were immigrants to the United States. Looking further back, he said his mother’s side of the family has “people who were both slaves and slave owners”.
“There’s a history of, if you will, growing up and the kind of experience that helps me to recognise 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.”
As the interview wrapped up, he was asked if he has any plans to make a visit to the US.
“They will see me there. By coincidence, today we were looking at the calendar for the next couple of years,” he said. “Nothing is set in stone yet, but I certainly hope to be there soon.”
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Pope Leo: I love America’s sense of freedom and welcome of all people (By Devin Watkins, Vatican News)
