Pope Leo XIV named a new ambassador to the United States on Saturday, amid diplomatic tensions over the Trump administration’s war on Iran and its hardline migration policy.

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, 68 — previously the Holy See’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York — has been named apostolic nuncio in Washington, the Vatican said.

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He replaces Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who is retiring at the age of 80, it said.

Leo is the Catholic Church’s first American pope.

Faced with a highly polarised US political landscape, has opted for discreet and indirect criticism of Washington, while also keeping channels of communication open.

Since he was elected in May, the Chicago-born pontiff has nonetheless taken a clear stand against some decisions by US President Donald Trump’s administration.

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He has denounced the “inhuman” treatment of migrants, urged dialogue with Venezuela and lamented a “diplomacy of force”.

He has also urged all parties involved in Middle East war — sparked by joint Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran — “to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable chasm”.

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AFP