U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits the Vatican

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a two-and-a-half-hour visit to the Vatican on May 7, 2026. During this trip, he held a 45-minute meeting with Pope Leo followed by a discussion with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The U.S. State Department described the talks as a reaffirmation of the strong relationship between the U.S. and the Holy See, focused on peace and human dignity. Despite the official diplomatic tone, the visit occurred amid ongoing public friction between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Pope. President Trump recently criticized the Pope’s stance on the conflict in Iran, claiming it endangers Catholics. While Rubio sought to emphasize cooperation on issues such as religious freedom, Cuba, Lebanon, and Latin America, tensions between the White House and the Holy See remain visible. Rubio is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the following day.