Pope Leo XIV has appointed a new ambassador to the United States, as diplomatic tensions persist over the administration of Donald Trump and its war with Iran, as well as its strict migration policies.
The Vatican announced on Saturday that Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, 68, who previously served as the Holy See’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York, has been appointed apostolic nuncio to Washington.
Caccia replaces Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who is stepping down after reaching the retirement age of 80, according to the The Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV is the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
Amid a deeply polarised political climate in the United States, the pontiff has largely chosen a cautious approach, offering discreet and indirect criticism of Washington while maintaining open diplomatic channels.
