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Pope Leo XIV announced on Saturday the appointment of a new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, aiming to navigate the tense diplomatic waters with the Trump administration.
The role has been entrusted to Italian Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, aged 68, who brings a wealth of experience as a seasoned Vatican diplomat. Currently, he represents the Vatican at the United Nations and has previously served as ambassador to both the Philippines and Lebanon.
Caccia will succeed Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who is stepping down at the age of 80.
Upon his appointment, Caccia expressed both excitement and apprehension about his new role. As reported by Vatican News, he stated his mission would focus on fostering “communion and peace,” while also highlighting the significance of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
Pope Leo XIV’s announcement marks a significant moment in Vatican-U.S. relations, featuring notable diplomats like Caccia who are tasked with bridging gaps and strengthening ties in challenging times.
The pope and President Donald Trump have been at odds over key issues for the White House, including immigration and the war in Iran.
Pierre’s ambassadorship was also at times at odds with the more conservative U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops while representing Pope Francis’ more progressive priorities.
“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” the American-born pope said on Sunday after the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, according to the outlet Chicago Catholic.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” he added.
In early January, Leo also delivered a major policy speech, mostly in English, that came on the heels of the U.S. military action in Venezuela.
Archbishop Gabriele Caccia has been appointed by the pope as the new Vatican ambassador to the U.S. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” the pope warned in the speech.
Trump called it a “great honor for our country” when Leo was elected pope last May after Pope Francis’ death, and when asked about Leo’s remarks earlier this year seemingly pressing him on policy, Trump told Politico he hadn’t seen the statements from the pontiff, but “I’m sure he’s a lovely man.”
He also said that he had met with the pope’s brother, who he called “serious MAGA.”
Last fall, the pope suggested that supporting the “inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States” is not “pro-life,” leaving White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to “reject there was inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration.”
The pope and the Trump administration have been at odds over immigration and U.S. military actions. (Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Rocco Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Leavitt, who is Catholic, added that the administration always tries to be as humane as possible while enforcing laws.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, current president of the U.S. conference, said after Caccia’s appointment: “On behalf of my brother bishops, I wish to extend our warmest welcome and our prayerful support to him as he carries out his responsibilities across the United States.”
Trump won 59% of the Catholic vote in the 2024 election, according to Politico.
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