Pope Leo XIV used his first U.S. television interview to praise America’s identity while revisiting one of its most divisive political debates. Without naming President Donald Trump directly, the pontiff highlighted immigration as a defining strength of the nation.
Pope Leo has a message for Donald Trump in his first US interview
Pope Leo XIV delivered a heartfelt reflection on the United States during his first interview with an American Television Network. He celebrated the country’s long history of welcoming newcomers while emphasizing values that sharply contrast with the Trump administration’s immigration approach. Speaking with NBC News, the Chicago-born pontiff described “freedom,” “opportunity” and immigration as central to what has shaped the nation for generations.
Asked what he admires most about America, Leo pointed to both the country’s ideals and his own family story. He noted that his grandparents arrived as immigrants and said his family history also includes both “enslaved people and slave owners.” Those experiences, he explained, helped him appreciate one of the “United States’ greatest wealth.“ He added that he hopes those longstanding American principles ”continue“ into the future.
Although Leo never mentioned Trump by name during the interview, his remarks arrived after months of public disagreements with the president over immigration. The pope has previously criticized the administration’s policies as “inhuman” and said he has “no fear” of speaking openly about what he believes the Gospel requires. Trump, meanwhile, has accused the pontiff of being “weak on crime” and criticized his views on foreign policy.
Meanwhile, as per the Vatican, Leo would be travelling to Lampedusa, an Italian island that has become a major landing point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Ahead of the anniversary, he also wrote to Americans that protecting human life includes “welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants,” arguing that compassion means not only charity but also recognition of every person’s inherent dignity.
