Pope Leo XIV had an initial one-word response when asked by a reporter on Monday if he had a message for his native United States. It left observers wondering if the pontiff would soon have more to say about President Donald Trump’s policies.

The contrast between President Trump and Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV couldn’t be more stark, politically, personally, or in their world views.

At a meeting Pope Leo held with international journalists, NBC News’ Lester Holt spent time speaking one-on-one with the Pontiff. They discussed the significance of the Pope being American and if he plans to return to the United States any time soon.

"I hope to be able to respond to [the challenges] with a healthy dialogue," said Cardinal Robert Prevost in 2023.

After celebrating his first Mass as pope, Leo XIV is slated to have a full schedule in the coming days. His next engagement is expected to be a May 10 meeting with cardinals. He'll then have midday prayers on May 11 from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

On "This Week," Cardinal Cupich said Pope Leo XIV may call for changes to the United States immigration system.

I met the man who would become Pope Leo XIV in October 2023. We were standing outside the Vatican’s Synod Hall, and from my short conversation with Cardinal Robert Prevost, I could tell he was a good listener,

The first American pope arrives at a time of extraordinary complexity and tension in the church in the United States.

Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, descends from Creole and free people of color in Louisiana, highlighting complex issues to race and class in American history.