US Secretary of State Rubio to Visit Italy and the Vatican

Washington (ANTARA) - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Rome on 6–8 May to meet with Italian and Vatican officials.

The main agenda of the meetings includes discussions on the situation in the Middle East as well as issues of mutual interest, according to US State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Monday.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome, Italy, on 6–8 May to strengthen bilateral relations with Italy and the Vatican,” Pigott said.

Rubio will also meet with Holy See leaders to discuss developments in the Middle East and shared interests in the Western hemisphere, he added.

Rubio’s meetings with Italian officials will focus on shared security interests and “strategic alignment,” the spokesperson said.

The visit comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Rome and the Vatican, following controversies involving President Donald Trump.

Trump’s criticisms of the Pope and Italy’s policies regarding NATO military bases have sparked diplomatic friction.

Pope Leo has angered Trump by openly and repeatedly calling for peace in the Middle East and strongly criticising the war launched by Trump against Iran.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has refused to support US military operations related to Iran by blocking the Sigonella airbase and Italian airspace for US aircraft.

Trump’s attempt to use sports diplomacy—by proposing that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup—to ease relations with Rome has also sparked debate.