Pope Leo: I love America's sense of freedom and welcome of all people

US flag waves as Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in St Peter's Square @Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

In a brief interview with American broadcaster NBC yesterday, after the Peace Concert with Andrea Bocelli and the international children's choir at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of immigration to the history of the United States, and said he hoped to visit the country of his birth in the next couple of years.

Asked what he thought of being the first American Pope, Pope Leo said he thinks of himself more "as the Pope who happens to be American.." adding "I was born in the United States. My family is still in the United States. I have great love for America," he said.

The Pope 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."

But at the same time, he acknowledged that, for himself and for the people of the United States, there is obviously "great significance in being the first American Pope."

Asked what he loved 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."

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."

In a subsequent interview in Spanish with Telemundo, Pope Leo reflected on the beauty he had just witnessed at the prayer for peace as children from around the world sang together.

"That beauty, I believe, was an invitation to all of us to look beyond and see the beauty that can be created - or in which we can participate - when we set aside some of our differences and recognize the richness of being human, of all having been created in the image of God," he said.

The Pope also recalled the prayers for peace offered by the children and their question why there is war and hatred instead of peace and love.

"We need to rediscover the values and the treasure found in being human, in all being brothers and sisters," he said. "We must recognize that we can all truly participate in a society that loves peace, seeks peace, and accepts one another despite our differences. If we all work for peace, we can overcome so many situations that cause conflict and hatred."

Concluding the interview with Telemundo, Pope Leo XIV offered a message for migrants.

"Have hope. Certainly, seek ways to live in an orderly manner," he urged. "We must recognise that there may be people who - I don't know - have suffered because of offences, crimes and things of that kind. A society cannot be built that way. We must therefore learn to live in peace, but we must also have the courage and the hope that always help us all."