By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Leo will keep Pope Francis’ signature policies to welcome gay Catholics, discuss women’s ordination and give China input on bishop appointments, but is not planning big changes to Church teaching, he said in his first interview, released on Thursday.

Leo, who became the first U.S. pope in May, also expressed concern about the political environment in the U.S. and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But showing characteristic reserve compared to his predecessor, Leo shied away from directly criticizing President Donald Trump or from saying that Israel has committed genocide.

The interview was conducted at the end of July for a biography being published by Penguin Peru. Initial excerpts were published last Sunday.

“I don’t plan to get involv

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