The first US pope said "successive waves of immigrants" played a role in shaping the United States, which marks its 250th anniversary on Saturday. Leo's remarks have made him a target of President Donald Trump.

Pope Leo XIV will mark the 250th anniversary of US independence by highlighting the plight of migrants, an area of continuing tension between the papacy and the Trump…

Pope Leo XIV told the US that immigrants have shaped the nation's future as he received the Medal of Freedom in an online ceremony with Philadelphia Friday. (ANSA)