In his first wide-ranging interview since his election, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, shared his priorities for the Catholic Church and addressed urgent global and pastoral issues.
The conversation, conducted in July 2025 by journalist Elise Ann Allen at the Vatican’s Palazzo Sant’Uffizio, was published on September 18 in the new biography Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the XXI Century.
On political matters, the pope avoided partisan positions, particularly regarding U.S. President Donald Trump.
“It is not my role to enter into politics as pope,” he said, noting that U.S. bishops are better placed to respond to national concerns. Nevertheless, he highlighted his worry over policies that “put economics above the dignity of the human person,” especially in areas like immigration and care for vulnerable communities.
The pope’s comments come amid heightened U.S. immigration enforcement. In August, the State Department canceled over 6,000 international student visas, citing violations, overstays, and alleged terrorism links.
Officials said most of those affected were involved in crimes such as assault, burglary, and driving under the influence, while hundreds were flagged over alleged support for terrorism.
Turning to the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging immediate relief and renewed efforts toward peace.
“We cannot stand by while people, especially children, suffer without hope. The world has a moral responsibility to act,” he said.
The Health Ministry reported that the death toll has reached 65,062, with 165,697 injured since Israel’s war on the enclave began in October 2023, adding that many victims remain unreachable.
On the Church’s engagement with LGBTQ+ communities, Pope Leo XIV reiterated a commitment to inclusion. “The Church must be a place of love and acceptance. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity,” he said, stressing pastoral care over exclusion despite doctrinal limits.
He also addressed the ongoing clerical abuse crisis, describing it as a “real crisis” requiring more than dismissals or settlements.
“We must walk with survivors, listen to their pain and ensure justice while also respecting due process for the accused,” he said, acknowledging the deep erosion of trust caused by past failures.
Discussing Vatican diplomacy with China, Pope Leo XIV recognized restrictions on Chinese Catholics and confirmed that the 2018 Vatican-Beijing agreement is under review.
“We are listening carefully and open to adjustments if necessary,” he said.
Throughout the interview, the pope emphasized dialogue, compassion, and outreach, reflecting a continuation of Pope Francis’ mission adapted to 21st-century challenges. “The Church cannot be closed in on itself, it must always be on mission, going out to meet people where they are,” he reflected.
Born in Chicago and also a Peruvian citizen after decades of missionary work in Latin America, Pope Leo XIV described the papacy as a profound challenge and a “huge learning curve,” likening it to “jumping in on the deep end of the pool.”
His bicultural background, he said, informs his vision of a Church rooted in compassion, dialogue, and missionary zeal.
Published on his 70th birthday, this interview offers an in-depth look at Pope Leo XIV’s vision for a Church dedicated to human dignity, global peace, and rebuilding trust with marginalized communities.
