Pope Leo faced a flurry of questions as he moved through a crowd at the Vatican on Monday, marking his first international press conference since assuming the papacy.
During the event, he highlighted the importance of free speech and a free press, expressing gratitude to journalists for their coverage of the papal election. According to NewsNation, Pope Leo also stressed the value of an informed public in making thoughtful decisions about international affairs.
At one point, NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman asked the pontiff if he had a message for the United States. Pope Leo paused before responding simply: “Many.” Then, he added, “God bless you all.”
The terse response quickly drew attention online, with some interpreting it as a veiled critique of the U.S. The comment soon went viral, sparking debates about its intent.
Critics pointed to Pope Leo’s history of outspoken political commentary from his time as Cardinal Robert Prevost. In 2015, he notably shared an op-ed criticizing then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s anti-immigration stance and his proposal to build a border wall.
Pope Leo has also weighed in on remarks made by Senator JD Vance regarding Christian obligations. In a Fox News interview, Vance outlined a hierarchy of compassion—starting with family and ending with global neighbors. “JD Vance is wrong,” Pope Leo later responded. “Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
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Following backlash, Vance defended his perspective online, referencing the theological concept of ordo amoris—a "order of loves"—and argued that it aligns with common sense. Still, Pope Leo, then Cardinal Prevost, responded by sharing a Jesuit article titled “Pope Francis’ Letter, JD Vance’s ‘Ordo Amoris,’ and What the Gospel Asks of Us on Immigration.”
In light of Pope Leo’s “God bless you all” statement, some suggested he may have simply misheard the reporter’s question—possibly thinking he was asked if he had “any blessings for the United States,” a reading that aligns more closely with his closing remark.
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