Pope Leo XIV: "I think of myself more as the pope who happens to be American"

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, says his primary identity is that of the head of the global Church, rather than his nationality.

In an interview with NBC News, the pontiff was asked whether being American was important to him, Caliber.Az reports.

"Just to clarify, I think of myself more as the pope who happens to be American. Not 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. But 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," he noted.

Pope Leo XIV also said he could visit the United States in the near future.

In April, U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticised Leo XIV, claiming the pontiff had been elected only because he was American. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Leo XIV had been included among the candidates for the papacy solely because of his nationality and that the Church believed this would be the best way to deal with President Donald Trump.

Trump's criticism followed the pope's anti-war statements. Leo XIV voiced concern over the escalation in the Middle East following what he described as Israeli and U.S. aggression against Iran. The pontiff also called Trump's threat to destroy civilisation in Iran completely unacceptable.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov