Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, a significant diplomatic encounter occurring against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the White House and the Holy See. The visit, described as "fence-mending," aimed to address the fallout from President Donald Trump's repeated criticisms of the pontiff, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Rubio’s visit included a 2½-hour meeting with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Cardinal Parolin had previously defended the Pope and subtly critiqued Trump's remarks. The State Department indicated that discussions focused on "efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East" and "topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere."
Rubio's trip follows Trump's strong disapproval of Pope Leo XIV's opposition to the Iran war. Trump has publicly attacked the Pope, who is the first pontiff of North American origin, a departure from previous diplomatic norms. Sources suggest Trump's criticisms are partly fueled by a concern over Iran potentially acquiring nuclear weapons, which he believes could endanger Catholic and Christian populations.
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The strained relationship extends beyond the Vatican, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close Trump ally, also facing White House criticism for not fully backing the U.S. campaign against Iran. Rubio is scheduled to meet with Meloni on Friday, with reports suggesting this engagement may also serve to reassert Trump's stance following earlier disagreements.
The broader context of the meetings includes Iran's review of American proposals to end the war. Trump has continued to pressure Tehran, threatening intensified bombing unless a deal is reached, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Rubio, known for often mediating Trump's sharper rhetoric, presented Pope Leo XIV with a crystal football paperweight during the exchange of gifts. This visit marks the second known meeting between Rubio and Pope Leo XIV, and the first such high-level interaction between the administration and the Vatican in approximately a year. The duration of the meeting with other Vatican officials remains unspecified.
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