US Secretary of State holds audience with Pope
On May 7, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The visit lasted approximately two and a half hours, with the private audience with the Pope taking about 45 minutes. Rubio also held discussions with Cardinal Pietro Parolin during the trip.
Visit itinerary
His schedule includes meetings with:
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani,
- Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto,
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, all planned for Friday.
The meeting comes amid escalating tensions between US President Donald Trump and the Pope. The rift stems from the Vatican’s stance on Iran and the White House’s Middle East policy. The Pope has repeatedly condemned Trump’s statements on Iran as unacceptable and expressed alarm over rhetoric suggesting the possible destruction of Iranian civilization. Trump, in turn, has publicly attacked the head of the Catholic Church, accusing him of being too lenient on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The Vatican has reiterated its commitment to diplomatic conflict resolution and opposes any large-scale escalation in the Middle East. The US State Department described the Rubio-Pope meeting as 'friendly and constructive,' emphasizing their shared dedication to peace and human dignity.
Further talks are expected to cover the situation in the Middle East and US-Vatican relations.
This meeting between Rubio and the Pope could mark a significant step toward mending ties between Washington and the Holy See, which have recently been strained by political disagreements. Diplomatic efforts to jointly resolve conflicts may prove crucial for future stability in the Middle East, especially given the tense US-Iran relationship.
As tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration continue, the Pope has reiterated the Church's longstanding opposition to nuclear arms, a stance that aligns with diplomatic efforts discussed during Rubio's meeting. This context highlights the ongoing dialogue around global peace initiatives. For more insights on the Pope's position regarding nuclear weapons and its implications, see his response to President Trump.