Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado
Pope Leo XIV officially became the Roman Pontiff on May 18th, 2025. The very next day, he met with the vicepresident of the United States, JD Vance, who invited him to visit his home country.
JUSTIN MCLELLAN
Vatican expert, National Catholic Reporter
I don't think that it's necessarily a direct or explicit rebuke of the Trump administration, the decision for Pope Leo to cast the spotlight on the plight of migrants in such an explicit way on the 4th of July, but I think that it's a... I do think that there is some degree of trying to convey that message of care for and acceptance of migrants to not exclusively, but also the American reality.
The 4th of July is Independence Day in the United States, and a huge national holiday. That's why many were surprised that Pope Leo organised a trip to Lampedusa, the 'ground zero' for European immigration, on the same day.
The question of immigration is a point of disagreement between Pope Leo XIV and the current American administration. The decision inevitably raises the question of whether it is a message to the United States?
JUSTIN MCLELLAN
Vatican expert, National Catholic Reporter
He invited him to come to the United States. We don't know when that would have been for, but I think that there was some hope among members of the church and the faithful in the United States that the first U.S. pope would return to the United States on the 4th of July, and this 4th of July in particular because it's the 250th anniversary. of the founding of the United States.
There is another factor to consider, one that is no less important. To avoid the pope's image being used for political purposes, the Holy See is proceeding with great caution. The United States is currently in the midst of its midterm elections, with voters set to go to the polls on November 3.
JUSTIN MCLELLAN
Vatican expert, National Catholic Reporter
At the same time, 2026 is an election year for the United States. They'll have midterm elections, and the Vatican tends to avoid having organizing people trips in countries during an election year.
A papal visit requires two official invitations: one from the country's president and one from its bishops. Given the recent tensions between Trump and Leo XIV, is an invitation to the United States still on the table? And if it is, would Leo be willing to accept it?
Many Vatican experts believe the answer is yes in both cases. On the one hand, it is Leo’s hometown, and on the other, they do not see Trump withdrawing the invitation to the pope.
JUSTIN MCLELLAN
Vatican expert, National Catholic Reporter
Some people are saying now that “Oh, Leo will wait out the rest of Trump's term before visiting the United States”, but, you know, I think that Trump is someone that has kind of prided himself off of his ability to reconcile with people and to have conversations with folks that he sees things very differently then.
In fact, alongside the speculation about July 4, another possible date was also being discussed: September, for the UN General Assembly. But the Vatican Press Office denied the reports, saying there would be no trip to the United States in 2026.
Despite everything, Pope Leo is eagerly awaited in the United States. He is the first American pope, so of course, the most pressing question now is whether or not he will return to Chicago in 2027.
