Journalist Elise Ann Allen recently published a new biography, Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century, and in it she included the full text of Pope Leo’s first full interview following his election. In their conversation, the Holy Father spoke on a wide range of issues, from international conflicts and Church governance to the role of women and the dangers of artificial intelligence. Throughout, he returned to a central theme: his mission as pope is to shepherd the Church with pastoral closeness.
Reflecting on his role, Pope Leo stressed that he sees the papacy primarily as a pastoral mission, a service of listening and outreach. While governance and diplomacy are part of his daily responsibilities, he described them as challenges he is learning from rather than burdens. His greatest concern is that people feel welcomed and valued as children of God.
The interview addressed several pressing global issues. On Gaza, the Pope lamented the grave suffering of civilians and called for increased humanitarian aid, especially for children. He warned against becoming numb to the violence, saying Christians must continue to care and advocate for peace. Asked whether the crisis constitutes genocide, he noted that the Holy See is not making such a declaration at this time, though the debate is growing. Turning to China, he affirmed that he will continue the cautious dialogue pursued by his predecessors, seeking to respect both local culture and the faithful who have long lived under restrictions.
As the first American pope, he acknowledged that his nationality brings a new perspective to the Church’s relationship with the United States. He distanced himself from partisan politics, saying it is better for U.S. bishops to lead in engaging with political leaders. At the same time, he recognized America’s global influence and urged that decisions be guided by human dignity rather than economic interests.
Much of the conversation turned to internal Church concerns. On the clerical abuse crisis, Pope Leo insisted that victims must be treated with deep respect, and statistics show that most accusations are credible. At the same time, he reminded the faithful that accused priests are entitled to due process. Some priests have had their lives destroyed by false accusations. While this remains a real crisis, he cautioned against making it the sole focus of Church life, since the Church’s broader mission must continue.
Regarding outreach to those who identify as LGBTQ+, the Pope reiterated that the Church welcomes everyone as sons and daughters of God. He emphasized that while blessings may be extended to individuals, the Church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality will not change. Similarly, he said the Magisterium’s position on women’s ordination is not shifting, though he intends to follow Pope Francis in appointing women to roles that draw on their gifts and benefit the life of the Church.
On finances, Pope Leo admitted that challenges remain, particularly in stabilizing the Vatican pension fund and ensuring accountability after past scandals. He praised reforms already introduced but stressed the need for continued vigilance. With regard to the Roman Curia, he expressed concern about compartmentalization and said he hopes to foster greater communication and collaboration among dicasteries.
The Pope also spoke about liturgy, noting with regret that the Traditional Latin Mass has become a source of polarization. He hopes to engage in dialogue with those attached to the Tridentine Rite and warned against treating liturgy as a political weapon.
Looking beyond the Church, Pope Leo highlighted modern challenges such as misinformation and artificial intelligence. He reminded us that fake news is destructive and said the Church must speak out about the dangers of technology controlled by wealthy elites without regard for human dignity. He specifically rejected the idea of an “artificial Pope,” warning against digital imitations that reduce the papacy to an avatar.
Taken together, the interview presents a portrait of a pontiff intent on healing divisions and guiding the Church with clarity, compassion, and prudence. He does not propose doctrinal changes, but rather emphasizes outreach, dialogue, and respect. Whether addressing war and peace, Church governance, or new technologies, Pope Leo consistently returned to the responsibility of the Church to uphold human dignity and foster communion rather than division.