Pope Leo XIV defended the history of the United States as that of a nation of immigrants while at an event ahead of the country's 250th birthday.
The US will mark July 4, celebrating the day in 1776 when the US ratified its Declaration of Independence from Britain.
What did Pope Leo say?
Speaking via video from the Vatican at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Leo described how "successive waves of immigrants" played a role in building the nation. Leo said the word "America" is a "byword for freedom" globally due to the way the country has taken in immigrants.
"This historic anniversary presents us with the opportunity to reflect once again on the nation's founding principles in the hope that America will remain ever true to the dream that has earned it the title of land of the free and home of the brave," Leo said, in a reference to the US national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
