Pope to NBC News: Hope of US visit ‘soon’

Pope Leo XIV says he hopes to visit his native United States “soon” but has no firm plans as yet.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, which aired Wednesday evening, the pope answered a direct question regarding his plans.

“They will see me there,” in the United States, he said, adding it was “by coincidence” that he had been, the very day of the interview, “looking at the calendar for the next couple of years.”

“Nothing is set in stone yet, but I certainly hope to be there soon,” the pontiff told NBC News.

Leo said he loves the country of his birth but considers himself “the pope, who happens to be American.”

“I understand my mission as having a very important dimension,” the pontiff said, “which is precisely being pastor of a universal Church and having a voice and an opportunity to speak to people throughout the world.”

“I was born in the United States. My family is still in the United States. I have great love for America,” he said, acknowledging however the “great significance” for himself and the people of the United States, in his “being the first American pope.”

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