Pope calls for 'moderation' in US public discourse on 250th anniversary of independence
Key takeaways
- Pope Leo, the first US-born pontiff, called for "moderation" in US public discourse and called on Americans to find "common ground" in a speech on Friday that coincided with the 250th anniversary of US independence.
- By: FRANCE 24 Pope Leo XIV speaks as he celebrates a Mass in St.
- Without mentioning US President Donald Trump, the US pope urged Americans to find "common ground" and "unity" and spoke of how "successive waves of immigrants" had shaped the future of the country.
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Pope Leo, the first US-born pontiff, called for "moderation" in US public discourse and called on Americans to find "common ground" in a speech on Friday that coincided with the 250th anniversary of US independence.
By: FRANCE 24 Pope Leo XIV speaks as he celebrates a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican on June 29, 2026. © Alessandra Tarantino, AP Pope Leo XIV called for "moderation" in US public discourse on Friday as the country celebrated its 250th birthday, in his first speech focused on US politics.
Without mentioning US President Donald Trump, the US pope urged Americans to find "common ground" and "unity" and spoke of how "successive waves of immigrants" had shaped the future of the country.