The Voice News: VATICAN CITY- Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States, strongly denounced the rise of nationalist politics during a Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square, urging unity and openness.
Speaking before tens of thousands gathered for Pentecost and the Jubilee of the Ecclesial Movements, Pope Leo called for the breaking down of barriers, both physical and ideological. “There is no room for prejudice, for ‘security’ zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, unfortunately, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms,” he said.
Without naming any specific countries or leaders, the pope prayed for a world where God would “open borders, break down walls, and dispel hatred.”
Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on May 8 following the death of Pope Francis. Before his election, he had publicly criticized U.S. political leaders, including former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, through posts on social media. The Vatican has not verified ownership of the now-deactivated X account [@drprevost].
Pope Francis, who led the Church for 12 years, was also a vocal critic of Trump, famously calling his immigration policies “a disgrace” and questioning the Christianity of leaders who “build walls instead of bridges.”
Sunday’s Mass marked one of Pope Leo’s first major public liturgies and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusivity and global solidarity.
