Pope Leo XIV, left, greets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon his arrival for talks in the pope's private library at the Vatican, May 7, 2026. (Vatican Media via AP)
Rubio meets Pope Leo XIV to mend US-Vatican rift
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- The visit focuses on lasting Middle East peace, ending Iran conflict.
- It also aims on coordinating aid efforts for Cuba and Venezuela.
- Vatican reaffirmed opposition to all nuclear weapons.
- Both parties reaffirmed support for global religious freedom.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a high-stakes, 2.5-hour meeting at the Vatican on Thursday with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
The visit was widely seen as a diplomatic mission to stabilize relations following a series of public clashes between US President Donald Trump and the first American-born pontiff.
The friction intensified in recent weeks after Pope Leo criticized the US war in Iran and the administration's mass deportation policies.
Trump responded by labeling the Pope "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy," even alleging that the pontiff was "endangering Catholics" by opposing the military campaign.
In contrast, Leo XIV has remained firm, stating his primary mission is to "preach the Gospel and peace."
Despite the "theatrical conflict" between the White House and the Holy See, Rubio -a practicing Catholic- characterized the dialogue as productive.
The visit comes just as Iran is reportedly reviewing American proposals to end the war, with Trump threatening a "new wave of bombing" if the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately reopened to international shipping.
