(ZENIT News / Rome, 07.04. 2026).- Accepting the invitation of the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Bran Burch, the Holy Father dined and socialized at the residence of the American diplomatic representative on the evening of Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See posted on its X account: «Pope Leo XIV celebrated the United States’ 250th birthday with Ambassador Burch, Mrs. Burch, and their family.» «I am deeply honored to celebrate this special day with a fellow American and the Bishop of Rome,» said Ambassador Burch.
On the morning of Saturday, July 4, the Pope visited the Island of Lampedusa in southern Italy. The visit to the Embassy took place on the evening of Saturday, July 4. The Ambassador and his family presented the Holy Father with a World Cup jersey, a commemorative «Freedom 250» baseball, and a homemade apple pie. According to the Ambassador, the Pope is rooting for the United States in the World Cup.
It is highly unusual for a Pope to travel to an Embassy for private events. The gesture has been viewed as a sign of closeness on a particularly significant day in the history of the United States, the country where Leo XIV was born.
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