Pope Leo XIV says ancestors were slaves and slave owners

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, expressed his deep affection for the United States while emphasizing his universal pastoral mission and revealing his complex family history, which includes both enslaved people and slave owners. The pope made the remarks in an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. He also indicated a desire to visit the United States soon, though no firm plans have been established.

Speaking on the sidelines of a prayer and music event commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo described his connection to his country of birth. "I think of myself more as the pope who happens to be American," he said, adding that he has "great love for America." He explained that his mission is to lead a universal church, a perspective shaped by his nearly two decades as a missionary in Peru. When asked what he loves about the United States, he cited its foundational principles: the sense of freedom, opportunity, and its historical invitation to people from around the world.

To illustrate that history, the pope shared details of his own ancestry. He noted his...