The meetings in Rome come amid strains between the United States and several European allies following criticism by Donald Trump over Europe’s reluctance to support the U.S. military campaign against Iran and disagreements over tariffs and defense commitments.

Rubio was also scheduled to hold talks with Antonio Tajani as part of a broader diplomatic effort to ease trans-Atlantic friction.

Italy has publicly opposed the war with Iran, with Meloni describing the conflict as “illegal” and criticizing Trump’s remarks directed at Pope Leo XIV. Trump in turn accused Meloni of failing to support Washington adequately during the conflict.

The dispute has complicated what had previously been viewed as one of Trump’s strongest relationships with a European leader.

Washington has also increased pressure on European allies over military burden-sharing and support for operations in the Middle East. The United States recently announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, while Trump has threatened additional reductions of American military deployments in Italy and Spain.

Italy hosts several strategically important U.S. and NATO facilities supporting operations across the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. Italian officials have expressed concern that troop reductions could weaken NATO’s southern flank.

Defense cooperation between Rome and Washington came under strain in March when Italy declined to authorize the use of the Sigonella air base in Sicily for U.S. bombing missions linked to the Iran conflict without parliamentary approval.

Under Italy’s constitution and existing treaty arrangements, military bases used within a NATO framework generally require additional authorization for offensive combat operations.

Meloni and Tajani have repeatedly stated that Italy will not participate directly in the Iran war and have insisted any request involving offensive use of Italian bases must receive parliamentary consent, where opposition to the conflict remains strong.

The war has also raised economic concerns for Italy, which depends heavily on energy imports and exports. Meloni has warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz risks increasing energy prices and harming household purchasing power, while uncertainty surrounding possible U.S. tariffs has unsettled Italy’s export-oriented industries.

Rubio’s visit began on Thursday with meetings at the Vatican, including talks with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin.According to the U.S. Department of State⁠, discussions focused on efforts to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East and reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Washington and the Holy See.

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.

The exchange follows recent remarks by Trump accusing the pope of being lenient on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a claim Leo denied, reiterating that the Catholic Church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and advocates for peace.

“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” Leo said on Tuesday, responding to Trump’s comments. He added that while criticism was inevitable, his position remained rooted in longstanding Church teaching against nuclear arms.

Trump, speaking on a radio program, suggested the pope’s views could endanger people, asserting that Leo appeared to tolerate the idea of Iran possessing nuclear weapons. The Vatican has maintained that the pope has never endorsed such a position and has instead opposed the ongoing war, which the US administration says is aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch said Rubio’s visit would focus on dialogue rather than confrontation. “Nations have disagreements, and one way to address them is through fraternity and authentic dialogue,” Burch told reporters, adding that the secretary of state would seek to “talk through” any differences.

Burch dismissed suggestions of a deep rift between Washington and the Vatican, framing the visit as an opportunity to improve mutual understanding. Rubio, a Catholic, previously met Leo following the pope’s inaugural mass last year, alongside Vice President JD Vance.Rubio is also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday.

Meloni has publicly defended the pope, while members of her government have raised concerns about the broader geopolitical implications of the Iran conflict.

Leo, marking his first year as head of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church this week, has emerged as a vocal critic of the Iran war in recent weeks. He has also spoken out against US immigration policies and called for renewed dialogue between the United States and Cuba.

The visit forms part of Leo’s final full day on an 11-day, four-nation Africa tour and continues a tradition established by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who prioritized prison outreach to highlight inmate welfare and systemic injustices.

Leo was scheduled to begin the day with a Mass in Mongomo before traveling to Bata, where he was also due to attend a memorial for victims of a 2021 military barracks explosion blamed on negligence.Human rights groups have intensified calls for the pope to address both domestic prison conditions and the implications of US deportation policies.

On the eve of the visit, around 70 organizations issued an open letter urging Leo to speak out against the transfer of migrants to countries where they have no ties and to discourage African governments from participating in such arrangements.

Equatorial Guinea’s justice system has faced sustained criticism from international bodies and advocacy groups. The United Nations welcomed the country’s abolition of the death penalty in 2022, but reports have continued to cite arbitrary arrests, political detentions, torture and poor prison conditions, as well as concerns over judicial independence.

The US State Department’s 2023 human rights report highlighted similar issues, including unlawful killings and life-threatening detention environments.Amnesty International has also raised concerns, stating that torture has been used to extract confessions and punish detainees, while harassment of human rights defenders and deficiencies in due process remain widespread.

The country, led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo since 1979, has denied allegations of systemic abuses. Authorities have not publicly responded to questions regarding reported violations linked to agreements with the United States to accept deported migrants.

According to reporting by the Associated Press, at least 29 migrants with no ties to Equatorial Guinea have been deported there under such arrangements. While not held in the Bata prison, some remain detained in the capital Malabo with restricted access to legal and medical services, while others have been returned to their countries of origin, where they may face persecution.

Leo, the first US-born pope, has previously criticized US migration deportation policies as “extremely disrespectful.” Advocacy groups have urged him to use the visit to press for reforms, including improved detention conditions, judicial accountability and protections for migrants.

Tutu Alicante, head of the EG Justice organization, said the government had taken limited steps to improve certain facilities but warned that sustained reform would be the true measure of progress.

He called for sentence reviews and broader judicial changes as signals of commitment to justice and reconciliation.

The 16th-century church, built by Portuguese colonizers along the Kwanza River in Angola, formed part of a fortress complex that served as a staging point in the slave trade. Enslaved Africans were baptized there before being forced to march roughly 145 kilometers to Luanda, where they were shipped to the Americas.

Historians estimate that more than 5 million people departed from Angola, making it the largest single point of origin in the trans-Atlantic slave system.The Vatican’s early directives in the 15th century had authorized the enslavement of non-Christians, providing religious justification that intertwined Catholic expansion with colonial exploitation.

Over time, however, the Muxima site evolved into a major Catholic pilgrimage center after reports of an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the 19th century.Leo’s visit, part of an 11-day pastoral trip, is expected to include a Rosary prayer on the riverside esplanade near the church. While the Vatican has not confirmed whether the pope will directly address slavery, clergy in Angola view the visit as symbolically significant.

Rev. Celestino Epalanga of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Angola said the pope’s presence could help reframe the site’s meaning, transforming it from a place associated with suffering into one of spiritual renewal.The visit carries added resonance following revelations about Leo’s background.

The pontiff, born Robert Prevost in the United States, was found by a genealogical study to have Creole heritage, with ancestors in Louisiana identified as both enslaved individuals and slave owners. Historians note that some of the earliest enslaved Africans brought to Louisiana originated from Angola, creating a historical link between the region and the pope’s lineage.

Mariana Candido said the convergence of Leo’s heritage and the symbolic weight of Muxima presents a powerful moment for engagement with African Catholics. She added that the visit reflects an effort to align the Church more closely with local expressions of faith across the continent.

Analysts and clergy say Leo has been actively strengthening ties with Africa, including elevating African figures within the Church hierarchy. Stan Chu Ilo said the pope appears intent on addressing long-standing perceptions that Africa has been marginal within global Catholic leadership.Angola’s historical experience adds further context to the visit.

A former Portuguese colony until 1975, the country endured a prolonged civil war after independence that lasted nearly three decades and resulted in more than half a million deaths. Despite significant natural resources, including oil and diamonds, Angola continues to face challenges related to poverty, inequality and governance.

Opposition lawmaker Olivio Nkilumbo said he hoped the pope would use the visit to advocate for social justice and democratic reform, reflecting broader expectations among some Angolans that the Church can play a role in addressing contemporary political and economic issues.

The Vatican has indicated that themes of Leo’s Africa trip will include the exploitation of resources, corruption and governance, alongside pastoral outreach.

Church officials in Angola say they expect the visit to reinforce the institution’s role in promoting peace, reconciliation and social equity in a country still grappling with the legacies of slavery, colonialism and conflict.

In a social media post, Trump said the pope should “stop catering to the Radical Left,” adding that Leo was “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” Speaking to reporters later at Joint Base Andrews after arriving on Air Force One, Trump reiterated his criticism, saying, “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo.”

The remarks followed comments by Pope Leo over the weekend condemning what he described as the “delusion of omnipotence” driving the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, and calling on political leaders to pursue negotiations to end the conflict.

The pope delivered his message during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, coinciding with the start of direct talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan under a fragile ceasefire arrangement.

While Leo did not explicitly mention Trump or the United States, his remarks were widely interpreted as directed at U.S. leadership, which has defended military actions and emphasized American strategic strength in the region.

The exchange marks a rare public dispute between a U.S. president and a sitting pope, and underscores broader divisions over foreign policy and the role of military force in resolving international conflicts.

The pope, the first from the United States, is scheduled to visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, traveling nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) across 11 cities and towns on 18 flights in one of the most complex papal itineraries in decades.

Cardinal Michael Czerny said the trip was intended “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa,” underscoring the Vatican’s focus on a region where Catholic populations are expanding rapidly.

Leo, 70, has made limited overseas visits since his election last May, including trips to Turkiye and Lebanon late last year, and Monaco in March. The current tour marks his most extensive diplomatic and pastoral journey to date.

The visit will include a stop in Algeria, an overwhelmingly Muslim country with fewer than 10,000 Catholics among a population of around 48 million, marking the first time a sitting pope has visited the country.

Leo is expected to address political leaders there and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, only his second visit to a mosque as pope.Across the four countries, Leo is scheduled to deliver 25 speeches addressing a range of issues including resource exploitation, interfaith dialogue and political governance, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni.

Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have long-serving leaders who have faced allegations of human rights abuses, which they deny.The largest gathering of the tour is expected in Cameroon’s coastal city of Douala, where Vatican officials estimate around 600,000 people could attend a papal Mass on Friday.

The trip is the 24th papal visit to Africa since the late 1960s and reflects the continent’s growing significance within the global Catholic Church, with more than 20 percent of adherents now based there.

Speaking at St. Peter’s Square after his Regina Coeli prayer, the pontiff said he felt “closer than ever” to Lebanon amid escalating violence, describing a moral obligation under international law to shield civilians from the effects of war.“

The principle of humanity entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war,” he said, addressing crowds gathered at the Vatican.

Lebanon has been drawn into the regional conflict since last month, as Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 2,000 people killed.

Without naming specific countries, the pope urged warring sides to seek a peaceful resolution, reiterating calls for dialogue and mediation over continued military escalation.

His remarks followed the failure of recent talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan to reach an agreement aimed at ending the broader conflict.

On Saturday, the pope delivered one of his strongest appeals yet against the war, calling on leaders to halt hostilities and return to negotiations. “Stop! It is time for peace!” he said, criticizing what he described as a growing reliance on rearmament and displays of power.

The 70-year-old pontiff, who leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, has repeatedly called for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

He is scheduled to travel to Algeria on Monday for an 11-day visit focused on interfaith dialogue and strengthening ties with the Islamic world.

Vatican officials said the trip is intended to engage with the Islamic world and address broader challenges of coexistence amid global tensions.The Algeria leg will be the first stop in a wider travel that includes Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, covering approximately 18,000 kilometers between April 13 and 23.

During his visit to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and address government officials and diplomats. He will also visit the Great Mosque of Algiers and meet members of the Catholic community, while holding private prayers for clergy killed during Algeria’s civil war in the 1990s.

A key moment of the trip will come in Annaba, historically associated with Saint Augustine, whose legacy has influenced the pope’s spiritual outlook. Leo, formerly Robert Francis Prevost and a member of the Augustinian order, has often described himself as a “son” of Augustine.

The visit comes as rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, EuroMed Rights and MENA Rights Group, have urged the Vatican to address concerns over restrictions on religious minorities in Algeria.

Algerian officials and local media have highlighted the symbolic significance of the visit, describing it as a reflection of the country’s stability and its role in fostering dialogue on the global stage.

The trip unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the Vatican emphasizing a message centered on interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence.

The visit underscores Jordan’s growing role as a hub for stability, peace, and sustainable economic development in the Middle East while opening new avenues for investment and cooperation with Europe.

A Mission to Strengthen Economic and Diplomatic Ties

King Abdullah’s visit seeks to build on Jordan’s long-standing partnership with Europe, with a strong focus on trade, investment, and green innovation.

According to Ali Murad, president of the European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocham) in Jordan, the meetings are designed to position Jordan as a reliable and strategic regional partner, particularly in industries that align with Europe’s development priorities — such as renewable energy, technology, tourism, and advanced manufacturing.

Murad emphasized that the European market is vital for Jordan’s economic growth, as the EU remains one of Jordan’s largest trading partners.

He noted that expanding access to European markets, improving export potential, and fostering private-sector partnerships will be key discussion points during the King’s meetings with EU leaders.

“Jordan’s growing cooperation with Europe reflects the country’s stability, transparency, and readiness to attract high-value investments,” Murad said.

“Through this visit, His Majesty is reaffirming Jordan’s position as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world.”

Advancing Regional Peace and Stability

In addition to economic diplomacy, King Abdullah’s European tour carries a powerful message of peace and regional stability.

During his meeting in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Both sides emphasized the importance of ensuring that all parties — including Israel and Hamas — adhere to the terms of the US-brokered peace initiative to bring lasting calm to the region.

King Abdullah has long been recognized for his active role in promoting dialogue, humanitarian relief, and conflict resolution in the Middle East. His latest discussions highlight Jordan’s continuing diplomatic influence and its constructive engagement in fostering peace and coexistence.

Cultural and Religious Harmony on the Agenda

In a separate engagement at the Vatican, King Abdullah and Queen Rania met with Pope Leo XIV, underscoring Jordan’s longstanding commitment to religious harmony and the protection of sacred sites.

The King stressed the importance of preserving Christian heritage and religious landmarks in Jordan, a country known for its interfaith coexistence and respect for diversity.

This meeting further reinforces Jordan’s global image as a nation that promotes mutual understanding, religious tolerance, and cultural respect — values deeply appreciated by European partners and international organizations alike.

As global attention turns toward sustainable development, Jordan is positioning itself as a leader in the green economy.

Eurocham, in collaboration with Jordan’s public and private sectors, is actively identifying investment opportunities in renewable energy, eco-friendly infrastructure, and innovation-driven projects.

These initiatives align with both Jordan’s Vision 2033 and the EU Green Deal, creating synergies that will boost job creation, attract environmentally conscious investors, and support regional energy security.

Murad noted that Jordan’s renewable energy potential — particularly in solar and wind power — provides an ideal platform for European investors looking to partner in large-scale sustainable projects.

A Vision for a Prosperous Future

King Abdullah’s European visit is widely viewed as a turning point for Jordan-EU relations, one that could usher in a new era of mutual prosperity and shared progress.

By strengthening diplomatic dialogue and promoting inclusive growth, Jordan continues to enhance its global standing as a stable, forward-looking nation in a region often marked by uncertainty.

As the King’s tour continues, optimism remains high that the renewed partnerships forged during this visit will bring meaningful economic gains, foster innovation, and reinforce Jordan’s enduring role as a beacon of peace and cooperation in the Middle East.