politics
May 8, 2026
Rubio expresses to Leo XIV his "commitment" to peace
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed this Thursday his commitment to "promote peace" before Pope Leo XIV, with whom he met in the Vatican to also highlight the "solid bilateral relationship" after criticism of the pontiff by Donald Trump. The head of US diplomacy summarized his Vatican meeting on social media: "I met with @pontifex (the official profile of the Pope) to underscore our shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity," he wrote on the X social network.
TL;DR
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.
- The meeting aimed to reaffirm the solid relationship between the US and the Holy See.
- Both leaders expressed a shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.
- The meeting took place following criticisms of the Pope by former President Donald Trump regarding the conflict with Iran.
- Rubio also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to discuss mutual cooperation and international issues.
- Topics included humanitarian initiatives in the Western Hemisphere and efforts for lasting peace in the Middle East.
- The US delegation also highlighted the strong alliance in promoting religious freedom.
- Rubio previously stated his intention to discuss humanitarian aid distribution in Cuba with the Pope.