Pope Leo XIV reflects on being the first American pope

In a visit with “Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas, Pope Leo XIV described his role as the first American pontiff. “I have great love for America,” he said. “But I understand my mission as having a very important dimension, which is precisely being pastor of a universal church.”

NBC News Logo Politics U.S. News WorldLocalNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaWashington, D.C.BostonBay AreaSouth FloridaSan DiegoConnecticut Sports Business Health SHOPPING TiplineSubscribe

Subscriber HubSavedNewslettersProfileSubscriptionPreferencesSearchSearchSectionsU.S. NewsPoliticsWorldBusinessSportsInvestigationsCulture & TrendsHealthScienceTechWeatherVIDEOPhotosSudokuNBC SelectedNBC Asian AmericaNBC BLKNBC LatinoNBC OUTLocalNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaWashington, D.C.BostonBay AreaSouth FloridaSan DiegoConnecticuttvTodayNightly NewsMeet the PressDatelineFeaturedNBC News NowNightly FilmsStay TunedSpecial FeaturesNewslettersPodcastsListen NowBusiness in AmericaMore From NBCNBC.COMNBCU AcademyPeacockNEXT STEPS FOR VETSNBC News Site MapHelpFollow NBC News news Alerts

There are no new alerts at this time

SearchSearchFacebookTwitterEmailSMSBlue SkyWhatsappPrintRedditFlipboardPinterestLinkedinLatest StoriesPoliticsU.S. NewsWorldSportsBusinessHealthSHOPPINGTiplinePope Leo XIV reflects on being the first American popeJuly 29, 202602:15Pope Leo XIV Talks About Potential Visit to the United States02:23Now PlayingPope Leo XIV reflects on being the first American pope02:15UP NEXTPope Leo details family’s slavery history in visit with Tom Llamas00:55A rare look at the pope’s Garden in his summer house02:00First American Pope prepares for 'Concert for Peace'02:37NBC News tours historic papal gardens outside Rome01:49Pope Leo honored with Liberty Medal01:35Pope Leo to visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death03:22Pope Leo issues new warning on artificial intelligence01:43Pope Leo warns some AI weapons ‘practically beyond’ human control01:15Rubio’s high-stakes meeting with Pope Leo01:29Pope Leo: 'Not in my interest' to debate President Trump01:20‘I have the right to disagree with the pope,’ Trump says02:19Pope Leo tells NBC News he has ‘no fear’ of the Trump administration00:40Trump blasts Pope Leo following criticism over war01:00Pope Leo Marks Good Friday With Cross Procession at Colosseum01:46Pope Leo celebrates Christmas Mass at the Vatican03:13On way home from Lebanon, Pope Leo warns against U.S. incursion into Venezuela02:32Thousands Gather in Lebanon for Historic Mass by Pope Leo01:56Thousands of young people greet Pope Leo in Lebanon03:18Nightly NewsPope Leo XIV reflects on being the first American pope02:15CopiedIn a visit with “Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas, Pope Leo XIV described his role as the first American pontiff. “I have great love for America,” he said. “But I understand my mission as having a very important dimension, which is precisely being pastor of a universal church.”July 29, 2026

onPope Leo XIV Talks About Potential Visit to the United States02:23Now PlayingPope Leo XIV reflects on being the first American pope02:15UP NEXTPope Leo details family’s slavery history in visit with Tom Llamas00:55A rare look at the pope’s Garden in his summer house02:00First American Pope prepares for 'Concert for Peace'02:37NBC News tours historic papal gardens outside Rome01:49Get more newsLiveonBest of NBC News