Rubio-Pope Meeting Signals Bid to Ease US-Vatican Strains
Vatican City – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday in talks both sides described as constructive, underscoring efforts to stabilize relations after President Donald Trump publicly criticized the pontiff over his stance on the Middle East conflict and nuclear tensions with Iran.
Rubio, a Catholic and the highest-ranking U.S. official to meet the first American pope since his election in May 2025, held a private audience with Leo at the Vatican before separate discussions with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said after the talks.According to the State Department, discussions focused on the Middle East conflict, the Iran war and issues concerning Latin America, referred to by Washington as the Western Hemisphere.
A U.S. official also confirmed that the Catholic Church’s role in Cuba was raised during the meetings.The Holy See has historically maintained diplomatic engagement with Cuba, while Rubio, a Cuban-American, has been closely associated with U.S. efforts aimed at political change in the communist-run island nation.
Rubio also discussed religious freedom and broader geopolitical issues with Parolin, Pigott said.
The visit followed an unusually public rift between Trump and Pope Leo, who has repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East and criticized threats of military escalation against Iran.Trump recently accused the pope of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” and alleged this week that Leo’s positions risked “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”
Leo rejected the criticism during remarks to reporters on Tuesday, saying the Catholic Church’s role was to “preach peace” and reiterating the Vatican’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons.“If anyone wishes to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” the pope said.
Cardinal Parolin earlier suggested the meeting would involve candid exchanges, noting that Washington had requested the talks. “The pope is being the pope,” Parolin said on Wednesday when asked about Trump’s criticism.Despite the tensions, Vatican protocol signaled a warm reception for Rubio. His convoy entered through the Arch of Bells, an honor generally reserved for heads of state, and he was formally welcomed by the Swiss Guard.
Rubio told reporters before departing for Rome that the trip had been arranged prior to the recent dispute and described the Vatican as an important diplomatic partner. “There’s a lot to talk about with the Vatican,” he said.
The Trump administration had initially welcomed Leo’s election as the first U.S.-born pope, but relations have since deteriorated over disagreements on immigration, Middle East policy and nuclear rhetoric involving Iran.
