The first American-born pope, Pope Leo XIV has hinted at a possible visit to the United States in the coming years. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago the pontiff has maintained strong connections to his homeland while serving as the spiritual leader of the global Catholic Church.
In a recent interview with NBC News Pope Leo XIV discussed his plans for a U.S. visit, his unique heritage, and his perspective on American values. The pope, who is known for his outspoken views on immigration and social justice, has been a vocal critic of the current U.S. administration’s policies.
Pope Leo XIV’s Potential U.S. Visit
During an interview with Tom Llamas of NBC Nightly News Pope Leo XIV was asked about the possibility of visiting the United States. The pope responded that while nothing was set in stone, he hoped to visit the country soon. He indicated that the visit could take place within the next two years but did not provide specific details about the timing or locations.
The pope’s potential visit comes at a time of heightened political tension between the Vatican and the U.S. government. Pope Leo XIV has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and has expressed concern about the country’s stance on global issues such as the conflict with Iran.
The First American Pope’s Unique Heritage
Pope Leo XIV’s heritage is as diverse as the United States itself. The pontiff has traced his ancestry back to Louisiana’s Creole population which includes both enslaved people and slave owners. In his interview with Llamas, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged this complex history and its impact on his perspective as a global leader.
“On my mother’s side, we have people who were both slaves and slave owners,” the pope said. “There’s a history of, if you will, growing up in the kind of experience that helps me to recognize myself, one of the greatest wealths of the United States.”
The Pope’s Ancestral Discovery
Pope Leo XIV’s awareness of his complex heritage is relatively recent. Shortly after his election as pope in May 2026, genealogists discovered that his maternal ancestors included African Americans. The pontiff revealed that he learned about this aspect of his heritage from his brother, who was reading a book by French historian Philippe Delorme.
“I knew some of what’s been published, but a lot has been discovered that I wasn’t aware of,” Pope Leo XIV said. “[The book covers] the African roots, which there apparently are, and French and Italian and Spanish and Cuban and Haitian, and Peruvian—because of the Spanish connection.”
Pope Leo XIV’s Advocacy and Political Tensions
Pope Leo XIV’s advocacy for immigrants and his criticism of the Trump administration’s policies have drawn both praise and criticism. The pontiff has been a vocal supporter of immigration reform and has expressed concern about the U.S. government’s stance on global issues such as the conflict with Iran.
In early 2026, then-Cardinal Prevost used social media to criticize U.S. Vice President JD Vance for justifying harsh immigration policies. “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” read the headline that the future pope shared.
The political tensions between the Vatican and the U.S. government were further highlighted when Pope Leo XIV declined an invitation to attend the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations in Washington. Instead, the pope chose to visit Lampedusa, Italy, a flashpoint for the migrant crisis in Europe.
“An American pope—the first in history—who on July Fourth, the national holiday of the United States, chooses not to celebrate the birth of a nation and its borders but to stand on the wounded threshold of the Mediterranean,” said Reverend Antonio Spadaro, undersecretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education.
The pope’s decision to visit Lampedusa instead of attending the U.S. celebrations was seen as a powerful statement about his commitment to immigration reform and his belief in the dignity of all people, regardless of their nationality or legal status.
