The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is scheduled to meet with Pope Leo at the Vatican on Thursday, aiming to alleviate tensions following President Donald Trump’s ongoing criticisms of the first North American pope.
In light of the unprecedented strain in relations between the Vatican and the United States, Rubio’s meeting with the pope will take place at the Apostolic Palace in the morning, after which he will engage in discussions with members of the Italian government.
On Tuesday, Trump accused the pope of endorsing nuclear armament and jeopardizing the safety of Catholics globally due to his opposition to the war in Iran, marking another instance of the president’s sharp remarks directed at the pontiff.
In response, Pope Leo stated on Wednesday, “If anyone wishes to criticize me for sharing the gospel, let them do so honestly: the church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons for many years. I merely hope to be heard for the significance of God’s message.”
Rubio sought to minimize the discord between Trump and the pope, informing reporters at the White House on Tuesday that the president’s recent comments stem from his concern over Iran potentially acquiring nuclear weapons that could threaten millions of Catholics worldwide.
Rubio remarked, “The president cannot comprehend why anyone—regardless of their position—would deem it acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons.”
The relationship between the Vatican and Washington has reached an unprecedented level of tension. In April, Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo for his comments regarding the Iran war, dubbing him “weak on crime” and “poor on foreign policy,” and even suggested that Leo’s election as pope was a result of Trump’s presidency. He later posted and subsequently deleted an AI-generated image that portrayed him in a Christ-like manner.
Rubio’s primary objective appears to be mending the rift caused by Trump’s remarks and restoring the increasingly fragile ties between the U.S. and the Vatican. Analysts predict that during his discussions, Rubio will advocate for Washington’s rationale behind the Iran war while strategically avoiding direct confrontation with the church’s views.
When asked whether he had more faith in Rubio or Trump, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stated, “I rely on no one. My trust is in our Lord Jesus Christ.” He added that Trump’s criticisms of Leo “in this manner seems rather peculiar, to say the least.”
On Friday, Rubio is set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as relations between Italy and the U.S. have also soured.
Lorenzo Castellani, a political historian from Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome, noted that Trump’s disparaging remarks about the pope have sparked significant backlash in Italy, a country where the papacy holds substantial influence in both the political and cultural spheres. This situation has effectively compelled Meloni to distance herself from Trump, despite her earlier hopes for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Reports from Italian media suggest that Rubio’s discussions in Italy may not be focused on repairing relations but rather on reaffirming Trump’s stance following the president’s earlier criticisms of Meloni for not supporting the U.S. campaign against Iran.
Castellani explained that Meloni’s transition from a strong supporter of Trump to a more critical viewpoint is influenced by political and electoral factors. “For the first time since World War II, foreign policy has emerged as a significant concern for Italian voters,” he stated. “This shift began with the war in Ukraine, but the current crisis marks a significant escalation, given its direct geopolitical and economic implications for Italy and Europe.”
He further mentioned, “As a result, Meloni cannot afford to create a distinct separation between foreign and domestic policy. Previously, she has taken stances that conflicted with parts of her electorate. However, recent polling indicates a widespread consensus across the political spectrum in condemning Trump’s position, with this sentiment resonating among approximately 80 to 90% of voters.”
Discussions are also expected to address the future of the approximately 13,000 U.S. military personnel stationed at seven naval bases in Italy. When questioned last week about the possibility of withdrawing U.S. troops from Italy, Trump responded, “Probably… Italy has not provided us with much assistance.”
