# Pope Leo praised the United States’ history of welcoming immigrants in his first major address to his home country on Friday. In a speech he gave live from the Vatican to the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, Leo said he hoped that ideals of unity, justice and peace held by the Founding Fathers would guide the US as it celebrated its 250th anniversary. The US pope in the past has criticised President Donald Trump’s immigration policies as inhuman. Leo is originally from Chicago but has not visited America since becoming pope in May 2025.
Pope Leo praises US history of welcoming immigrants at 250th anniversary