Pope Leo urges "respect for the views of others" in rare speech on US politics
Other TopicsWorld2026-07-03 17:26:35Pope Leo urges "respect for the views of others" in rare speech on US politicsVatican City -Pope Leo XIVcalled for "moderation" inUSpublic discourse on Friday as the. . .
Other TopicsWorld2026-07-03 17:26:35Pope Leo urges "respect for the views of others" in rare speech on US politicsVatican City -Pope Leo XIVcalled for "moderation" inUSpublic discourse on Friday as the country celebrated its 250th birthday, in his first speech focused on US politics. Pope Leo XIV gave a rare speech addressing US politics on Friday. © Alberto PIZZOLI / AFPWithout mentioning PresidentDonald Trump, the US pope urged Americans to find "common ground" and "unity" and spoke of how "successive waves of immigrants" had shaped the future of the country. The video speech relayed to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia appeared to make several points aimed at Trump's divisive style. Leo and Trump haverepeatedly clashedin recent months over papal criticism of the harsh crackdown on immigration in the US and of the war on Iran. Viral Video of the DayViral Video of the Day for July 3, 2026: Mom's World Cup surprise leaves son in tears of joy!Trump has called the pontiff "weak" on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy. The pope has said heis "not afraid" of Trump. In his speech, Leo called for "a public discourse marked by moderation, respect for the views of others and an ongoing effort to find common ground". He said he hopedthe 250th anniversaryof the Declaration of Independence would be the occasion of a "solemn recommitment" to the US' founding ideals. Cover photo: Alberto PIZZOLI / AFPMore onWorld:UN sounds "red alert" over "catastrophe" in Sudan's El-Obeid: "This is not a drill"Venezuela earthquakes: Man miraculously rescued from rubble after more than a week!Rescue workers desperately try to save trapped Venezuelan one week after earthquakes