Pope Leo will keep Pope Francis' signature policies to welcome gay Catholics, discuss women's ordination but is not planning big changes to church teaching, the pontiff says in his first interview.

Leo, who became the first US pope in May, also expressed concern about the political environment in the US and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

But showing characteristic reserve compared to his predecessor, Leo shied away from directly criticising US 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.

"I don't plan to get involved in partisan politics," said Leo, who was raised in Chicago. "There are significant issues that can be raised, but it would be impossible for th

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