U.S. Ambassador Hosted Pope Leo XIV for July 4 Dinner
Speaking with Italian media, Burch said the pope arrived at 7:30 p.m. on July 4, prayed with the ambassador's family, and shared a meal featuring American charcuterie, watermelon salad, Chicago-style hot dogs, apple pie, and gelato. Burch said Leo XIV approved of the menu.
The pope arrived without aides or secretaries, accompanied only by two Vatican gendarmes.
Burch said he invited Leo XIV to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States by hosting the first U.S.-born pope. The invitation was sent about two months before the dinner, and confirmation came about a month later.
The ambassador also said Leo XIV still carries a Peruvian credit card, uses a cellphone, follows the Chicago White Sox, and sometimes wakes during the night to check soccer scores.
The dinner took place the same day Leo XIV visited Lampedusa. Burch said the pope rejected suggestions that the visit was intended as a message directed at the Trump administration.
The two Chicago natives also spoke about their hometown and their many mutual acquaintances.
After dinner, Burch and the pope spoke privately in the garden. Before departing around 10 p.m., Leo sang "God Bless America" and signed several baseballs, adding the date to each one.
Burch said the pope also spoke about his vocation and why he chose to become a missionary priest. He recalled a recent sleepless night during which he watched the Argentina-Cape Verde soccer match.
According to Burch, Leo said he has great affection for the United States, where he was born, but is careful not to appear too closely identified with any one country. He also expressed frustration that many papal gestures are interpreted through the lens of U.S. politics.
Burch said he was struck by the pope's knowledge of current events. When asked how he stays informed, Leo pointed to the daily briefings he receives.
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