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

(Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) Pope Leo XIV has “great love” for the United States and what it stands for but doesn’t define himself as American, the Chicago-born pope told NBC in an interview.“I have great love for America 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,” added Leo, who spent nearly two decades as a missionary in Peru.

Leo, the first pope from the United States, spoke Wednesday night to the US broadcaster on the sidelines of a prayer event with music at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence.