Pope Leo calls himself pontiff who ‘happens to be American’

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, described himself as "the pope who happens to be American" in an NBC interview, emphasizing his universal mission while expressing deep affection for US principles including freedom, opportunity and immigration. Elected in May, the 70-year-old has repeatedly criticized Donald Trump's immigration policies as "inhuman" and condemned the US-Israeli military action against Iran. Leo, whose grandparents were immigrants, has not accepted Trump's White House invitation but said he hopes to visit the US soon.