Kenneth Glad
High-level talks in Rome come amid growing political tensions. The dispute is now affecting relations beyond the Vatican.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio will meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, stepping into a dispute that has expanded beyond a war of words into a broader diplomatic challenge.
The meeting, set to take place at the Apostolic Palace, was planned in advance but now comes at a more sensitive moment.
In recent days, Donald Trump has accused the pope of “endangering a lot of Catholics,” sharpening tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran.
Rubio is also scheduled to meet senior Vatican official Pietro Parolin and Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, as part of a wider effort to keep communication channels open.
Reuters notes that such visits are often used to prevent political disagreements from escalating further.
Disagreement over war
The clash between Trump and the pope centres on the Vatican’s opposition to the conflict. The Guardian writes that Trump suggested Leo was comfortable with Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, a claim not supported by the pope’s public statements.
Instead, Leo has repeatedly called for ceasefires and dialogue. The Holy See has long opposed nuclear weapons and military escalation, positions that have historically put it at odds with more aggressive foreign policy approaches.
Furthermore, Vice President JD Vance has reinforced the administration’s stance, saying the Vatican should “stick to matters of morality,” reflecting a wider debate about the Church’s role in geopolitical issues.
Meloni caught in the middle
The fallout has also drawn in Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, whose relationship with Trump has shifted noticeably in recent months.
According to The Guardian, Meloni was once among Trump’s closest European allies, even attending his inauguration and maintaining direct contact. But that alignment has come under strain.
Trump recently told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that she “lacked courage” for not backing the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
Meloni pushed back after Trump criticised the pope, calling his remarks “unacceptable.” Trump responded bluntly: “She is the one who is unacceptable.”
Analysts say the dispute has given Meloni space to distance herself. Cecilia Sottilotta, a politics professor cited by The Guardian, said the row came at a useful moment domestically, noting that “people love their popes, and they hate wars.”
Italy’s government has already taken steps reflecting that shift, including denying the use of a Sicilian airbase for US operations linked to the conflict.
Symbolism and pressure
The situation has been further complicated by Trump’s brief posting of an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like role, which he later removed after criticism.
“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better,” he said. “And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
According to the British newspaper, the image drew backlash partly because of its religious symbolism, adding another layer to tensions with the Vatican at a delicate moment.
Rubio’s visit now sits at the intersection of these disputes. While unlikely to resolve them outright, the talks may indicate whether the US and its allies can steady relations or whether divisions over war, leadership and rhetoric will deepen.
Sources: The Guardian, Reuters, Corriere della Sera
