US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Pope Leo on Thursday at the Vatican, marking a significant diplomatic engagement just weeks after President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented attack on the pontiff. The meeting, set for 11:30 AM local time (10:30 GMT) in the apostolic palace, was confirmed by the Holy See's press office on Monday following media reports over the weekend.
Diplomatic thawing mission
Rubio's two-day visit to Italy is reportedly aimed at easing the strained relations between Washington, Rome, and the Holy See. Alongside his audience with the Pope, he will also hold talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. A source from the Italian foreign ministry revealed to the Guardian on Sunday that Rubio had also requested a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, though that request had not yet been granted. However, speaking at a European Political Community gathering in Yerevan, Meloni indicated she would likely meet the US secretary of state.
Background of tensions
The visit coincides with the first anniversary of Pope Leo's papacy and follows a series of contentious exchanges between the Trump administration and the Vatican. In April, Trump lashed out at the Pope after Leo condemned the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, calling him "weak" and asserting he was not fulfilling his role as pontiff effectively. Trump later shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Christ, which he subsequently deleted, claiming it was actually a portrayal of him as a doctor.
Vice President JD Vance also criticised the Pope, urging the Vatican to "stick to matters of morality" and cautioning Leo to be careful when discussing theology and war. Trump further rebuked Meloni, previously one of his closest European allies, after she criticised his remarks about the Pope. He accused her government of not supporting the strikes on Iran and threatened to withdraw US troops stationed in Italy.
Previous engagements
Rubio and Vance attended Pope Leo's inauguration in May last year and had a private audience with him the following day, during which they presented an invitation from Trump to the White House—an offer Leo has not yet taken up. In response to Trump's outburst in April, the Pope stated he did not fear the US administration and continued to speak out against the war on Iran.
Anniversary celebrations
Pope Leo will mark the first anniversary of his papacy on Friday with a trip to the southern Italian town of Pompeii, where he will celebrate mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, before proceeding to Naples.
