Pope Leo XIV named a new ambassador to the United States on Saturday amid diplomatic tensions over the administration of Donald Trump, including its war on Iran and hardline migration policies.
Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, 68, previously the Holy See’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York has been appointed apostolic nuncio in Washington, the Vatican said.
He replaces Christophe Pierre, who is retiring at the age of 80 after nearly a decade in the role.
Leo is the Catholic Church’s first American pope.
Facing a deeply polarised US political landscape, the Chicago-born pontiff has largely opted for discreet and indirect criticism of Washington while keeping channels of communication open.
Since his election in May, however, he has taken clear positions on several decisions by the Trump administration.
He has denounced the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, called for dialogue with Venezuela and criticised what he described as a “diplomacy of force”.
The pope has also urged restraint in the Middle East conflict sparked by joint Israeli and US air strikes on Iran, calling on all parties “to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable chasm.”
AFP
