US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, May 7, marking a critical diplomatic effort to stabilize relations between Washington and the Holy See.
This lengthy meeting inside the Apostolic Palace comes after weeks of public friction between US President Donald Trump and the first American pope in history.
The dialogue focused on several urgent geopolitical issues including the situation in the Middle East with specific attention to Iran and Lebanon. They also discussed the Western Hemisphere and humanitarian aid in Cuba along with ongoing wars and political crises across Africa.
Marco Rubio: ‘What to get someone who has everything? I thought a crystal football’
Pope: ‘ok’ pic.twitter.com/gr0sWA9bAO
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) May 7, 2026
The Pope continues to advocate for refugees and migrants, a stance that remains in sharp contrast to the current administration’s immigration policies.
The relationship between the White House and the Vatican has been strained by unprecedented public exchanges. Pope Leo XIV has expressed firm opposition to US military operations in Iran, while President Trump recently characterized the pontiff as being weak on crime and foreign policy.
Following claims by the President regarding the Church’s stance on nuclear weapons, the Pope clarified that the Church has consistently spoken out against all nuclear armaments for years.
While the meeting was described as an attempt to cool the rhetoric and return to traditional diplomacy, significant hurdles remain.
The Vatican has confirmed there will be no papal visit to the United States in 2026 to avoid any appearance of influence during the mid-term election cycle.
Secretary Rubio is scheduled to continue his trip by meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss transatlantic cooperation and Italy’s support for US foreign policy.
