Eastern and Latin alike — who, above all in the Middle East, persevere and remain in their homelands,” Leo said May 14.

The U.S.-born Pope spent about a dozen years as a missionary in Peru and returned there later to serve as a Bishop.

The U.S.-born Pope spent about a dozen years as a missionary in Peru and returned there later to serve as a Bishop.

Prior to his elevation to the papacy, Leo XIV stayed out of the spotlight on certain reforms backed by his predecessor but ...