POPE LEO XIV APPOINTS NEW AMBASSADOR TO UNITED STATES

March 7, 2026

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday appointed a new ambassador to the United States amid diplomatic tensions linked to the Trump administration’s war on Iran and its hard-line migration policies.

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, 68 — previously the Holy See’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York — was named apostolic nuncio in Washington, the Vatican announced.

He replaces Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who is retiring at the age of 80, the Vatican said.

Leo is the Catholic Church’s first American pope.

Facing a highly polarised political landscape in the United States, the Chicago-born pontiff has largely opted for discreet and indirect criticism of Washington while keeping diplomatic channels open.

Since his election in May, however, he has taken a clear position on some decisions of US President Donald Trump’s administration.

He has denounced the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, urged dialogue with Venezuela, and lamented what he described as a “diplomacy of force.”

The pope has also urged all parties involved in the Middle East war—sparked by joint Israeli and US air strikes on Iran—”to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable chasm.”