Pope Leo XIV dined at the residence of the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, located on the Janiculum Hill in Rome, on the evening of July 4, 2026, the Holy See announced in a brief statement.
The diplomat had invited his fellow countryman, the Bishop of Rome, to celebrate their national holiday, which this year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' Declaration of Independence.
"I am deeply honored to celebrate this special day with a fellow American and the Bishop of Rome," Burch said on X.
Photos posted by the ambassador show the pontiff surrounded by Brian Burch and his family of nine children, with a flag-shaped dessert.
The ambassador's X account included further details, including that Pope Leo is rooting for the USA in the World Cup. The US has made it into the round of 16 finalists and is set to play Belgium on July 6.
Words to the USA
The Holy Father addressed the United States on two different occasions for the 4th. On the eve of the celebrations, he connected via livestream to receive the Liberty Medal.
You can read his full comments in article below.
Then on the morning of July 4, the Vatican released a letter from Pope Leo to the United States.
You can read the letter in article below.
The Holy Father spent the morning of the 4th on the Italian island of Lampedusa, with its symbolic "Gate of Europe." As the island is near the half-way point between the African coast and the Italian mainland, it has become a flashpoint in the global migrant crisis.
