Pope visits U.S. embassy July 4 for discussion on peace and freedom, with a side of apple pie

(OSV News) — After spending the morning praying for migrants on the island of Lampedusa, Italy, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and his family.

“I am deeply honored to celebrate this special day with a fellow American and the Bishop of Rome,” Ambassador Brian Burch said, in a post on X.

Further posts on X said that the ambassador and Pope Leo “discussed President Trump’s bold leadership and American efforts to pursue peace, religious freedom, and the need for moral clarity and courage around the world.”

They also indicated that Pope Leo had received “a USA World Cup jersey, a commemorative Freedom 250 baseball, and a homemade apple pie” from the Burch family, the post said.

In a message to journalists, the Holy See Press Office July 4 confirmed the visit, saying, “welcoming an invitation from the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, the Holy Father visited the ambassador’s residence on the evening of Saturday, July 4, on the occasion of the national holiday.”

The post thread added that Pope Leo had confirmed during the visit that he is rooting for Team USA in the World Cup.

read more america 250

When the American pope comes for July 4 dinner, here’s what happens

Radio Interview: Catholicism, religious freedom and the early United States

Mass of Thanksgiving for America’s 250th anniversary held at National Shrine in Washington

Pope Leo to pilgrims: ‘Strong eucharistic heritage of US must continue as source of renewal, unity’

In Independence Day Mass, Archbishop Lori calls for continued witness to human dignity

On U.S. Independence Day, Pope Leo XIV honors migrants in Lampedusa

Copyright © 2026 OSV News

 Print