Marco Rubio to Visit the Vatican Amid Tensions Between Trump and Pope Leo XIV
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and the Vatican this week, an Italian government source confirmed on Sunday.
TL;DR
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and the Vatican this week.
- The visit occurs amid diplomatic tensions between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV.
- Rubio will meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
- Italian media suggest a meeting with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is also anticipated.
- The trip is interpreted as an effort to 'defrost' bilateral relations, damaged by Trump's attacks on the Pope and Italian PM Meloni.
- Trump criticized the Pope for rejecting war in the Middle East and for his stance on Iran, while the Pope questioned Trump's anti-immigration and war rhetoric.
- Meloni defended the Pope and was subsequently criticized by Trump for her perceived lack of support for the US within NATO.
- Rubio's visit is seen as significant for mending diplomatic ties amidst international tension.