Pope Leo praises US history of welcoming immigrants

Pope Leo praised the United States' history of welcoming immigrants in his first major address to ‌his home country on Friday, urging in a video appearance that Americans live up to the ideals in the Declaration of Independence.

The US Pope, who has criticised President Donald Trump's immigration policies as "inhuman," said the word "America" had become a "byword for freedom" across the world because ​of the way the country welcomed immigrants.

In a speech he gave live from the Vatican to the ​National Constitution Center in Philadelphia as he received the Centre's Liberty Medal, Leo said ⁠he hoped that ideals of "unity, justice and peace" held by the Founding Fathers would guide the U.S. as it ​celebrated its 250th anniversary.

 "This historic anniversary presents us with the opportunity to reflect once again on the nation's founding principles in the hope that America will remain ever true to the dream that has earned it the title of land of the free and home of the brave," said the pope.

In a speech he gave live from the Vatican to the ​National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia as he received the Centre's Liberty Medal, Leo said ⁠he hoped that ideals of "unity, justice and peace" held by the Founding Fathers would guide the US as it ​celebrated its 250th anniversary.

 "This historic anniversary presents us with the opportunity to reflect once again on the nation's founding principles in the hope that America will remain ever true to the dream that has earned it the title of land of the free and home of the brave," said the Pope.

Leo also urged the US in his speech to pass laws that "recognise and safeguard" life from conception until natural death.

-Reuters