Pope Leo to meet US Secretary of State Rubio Thursday

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Rome: Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this Thursday at 11:30 am. The private visit comes at a critical time, following recent public friction where US President Donald Trump issued a blistering critique of the pontiff. Trump’s comments targeted the Pope's stance on crime and his handling of international relations regarding Iran.

The meeting is widely viewed as an effort to ‘thaw’ the strained relationship between the Vatican and the current US administration. Rubio, a Catholic, previously met the Pope in May 2025 alongside Vice President JD Vance.

While in Rome, Rubio is also expected to hold talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni, a close ally of Trump, has notably defended the Pope against recent presidential attacks.