In his first US television interview, Pope Leo speaks about immigration and the country’s founding ideals, drawing on his own family history to underline why the United States should welcome immigrants. Speaking to NBC during remarks connected to a prayer event at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope describes having “great love” for the US and for principles such as freedom and opportunity, while also saying that he “just happens to be American.”
Both accounts frame the comments as an implicit critique of Donald Trump’s immigration policies, noting that Pope Leo has previously condemned the administration’s approach. The Pope emphasizes the importance of honoring the nation’s core principles, and he links that message to his family’s immigrant roots. While the remarks are not presented as a formal policy statement, they connect immigration to broader themes of inclusion and respect for the US’s founding values. The interview situates Pope Leo’s message within the broader context of ongoing public debate over immigration in the US.
