Pope Leo XIV on Saturday appointed a new Vatican ambassador to the United States as diplomatic tensions persist over Washington’s war with Iran and its strict migration policies.
The Vatican announced that Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, 68, who previously served as the Holy See’s representative to the United Nations in New York, has been named apostolic nuncio to the United States. He succeeds Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who is retiring after reaching the age of 80.
Caccia assumes the diplomatic role at a time of heightened political tensions between the Vatican and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The post is considered one of the Holy See’s most significant diplomatic assignments, serving as the main liaison between the Vatican and Washington.
Leo, the Catholic Church’s first American pope, has adopted a cautious approach toward the highly polarised U.S. political landscape, often offering indirect criticism of Washington while maintaining open diplomatic channels.
Since his election in May, the Chicago-born pontiff has voiced opposition to several policies of the Trump administration. He has condemned what he described as the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, called for renewed dialogue with Venezuela, and criticised what he termed a “diplomacy of force.”
The pope has also expressed concern about the ongoing Middle East conflict triggered by joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, urging all parties to take moral responsibility and halt the escalating violence before it deepens further.
