Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, says he does not define himself primarily as American, even as he expresses “great love” for the United States. In an interview reported by NBC and echoed by other outlets, he says his identity and role come from his position as head of the Catholic Church, describing himself as the pope who speaks to people around the world. The pope says his mission is to serve as pastor of a universal church rather than to represent a single nation.
At the same time, he adds that he has affection for America and respects what the country represents. He frames the relationship between personal background and his broader religious responsibilities, indicating that while his American roots matter, they do not limit how he views his leadership. Both sources present the remarks as clarifying his stance on nationality and public identity, emphasizing his focus on global pastoral outreach.
