WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) —  Pope Leo XIV called for “moderation” in United States (US) public discourse on Friday as the country celebrated its 250th birthday, in his first speech focused on US politics.

Without mentioning US President Donald Trump, the US pope urged Americans to find “common ground” and “unity” and spoke of how “successive waves of immigrants” had shaped the future of the country.

The video speech relayed to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia appeared to make several points aimed at Trump’s divisive style.