Foreign Minister Rubio meets Pope Leo XIV to thaw US-Vatican relations

Rome (ANTARA) - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that his meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday (7/5) was very positive.

“We have a very strong relationship with the Vatican, and this visit has been planned for a long time,” Rubio told reporters at the US Embassy in Rome, Italy, on Friday.

Rubio’s visit to Rome this time is seen as a mission to thaw US-Vatican relations that had become tense after US President Donald Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV for expressing opposition to the US attack on Iran.

At that time, Trump also vented his anger at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for defending the Holy Father.

“The meeting with Pope Leo XIV was very good. We discussed various matters in the world involving the Vatican’s engagement. Of course, the Holy Father (Pope Leo), above all, is a spiritual guide,” said Secretary of State Rubio.

“But in the end, the meeting was very friendly and important; it is also very important for us to convey our perspective, then explain where we come from, and ensure our position is understood. I felt it was very positive,” said Rubio.

Continuing to praise how positive and smooth the dialogue with Pope Leo XIV was, Rubio also said that he provided the latest information on Iran to the supreme leader of the Catholic Church worldwide.

Regarding the possibility of Pope Leo XIV holding a telephone conversation with President Trump, Rubio said that it might happen at a later time.

“It might be done,” he said.

In Rome on Friday, Secretary of State Rubio met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the Italian Foreign Ministry and held a meeting with Prime Minister Meloni at Palazzo Chigi Palace.