Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the pope’s comment to NewsNation.

(NewsNation) — For the first time in his papacy, Pope Leo XIV met with thousands of journalists from around the globe in Rome on Monday, thanking them in Italian for their work covering the papal election.

NewsNation’s Robert Sherman asked Leo if he had a message for the United States.

“Many,” Leo smiled, before adding, “God bless you all,” as he walked through a cordoned-off crowd of reporters.

The meeting was an opportunity for journalists and the world to get to know Leo, who assumed the papacy Thursday.

He spoke extensively about freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and said those are things the international community needs to defend at all costs. 

He also spoke at length about the importance of being an informed society in order to make good choices and decisions regarding international policy. Unity and peace were recurring themes.

On Sunday, he addressed a crowded St. Peter’s Square and called for peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The new pontiff, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, became the first American pope after the death of Pope Francis.

NewsNation spoke with European faithful who said they’re focused on what Leo can accomplish, not necessarily where he’s from, and that they’re hopeful his papacy can yield peace and unity.