Kenneth Glad
The talks covered Iran, the Middle East and Cuba after weeks of public clashes between Washington and the Chicago-born pope. Still, the meeting suggested Washington and the Vatican were trying to keep regular diplomacy intact.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, CNN reported, as tensions between President Donald Trump and the Holy See continued to draw attention.
Rubio spent more than two hours inside the Apostolic Palace, though it was unclear how long he spoke directly with Leo.
The meeting appeared aimed less at resolving policy disputes than at preventing public confrontation from overwhelming diplomatic communication.
A papal audience for a foreign minister is less routine than one for a president or prime minister, which made the visit stand out.
Iran, Cuba and humanitarian crises
The Holy See Press Office described the discussion as cordial and said both sides renewed “the shared commitment to cultivate good bilateral relations,” reports CNN.
A Vatican spokesman said the conversation covered the Middle East, Iran, Lebanon, conflicts in Africa and the humanitarian situation in Cuba.
The US State Department said Rubio and Leo discussed “the situation in the Middle East and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere.”
The State Department added that the meeting reflected “the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.”
The formal tone of the visit stood in contrast to Trump’s recent attacks on Leo over Iran, migration and the pope’s calls for peace.
Trump’s criticism of Leo
Trump has repeatedly criticized Leo for opposing the US war against Iran and for continuing to defend migrants and refugees.
In a Truth Social post, Trump called Leo “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.” Trump also accused the pope of focusing too much on politics instead of the church.
Leo later said he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and that it was “not in my interest” to debate the president.
On Tuesday, he said criticism should “do so with the truth” and said “the mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel and peace.”
Rubio said before traveling that “there’s a lot to talk about with the Vatican,” including Cuba, while rejecting the idea that the trip was meant as a diplomatic reset.
Source: CNN
