U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Pope Leo XIV and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy later this week, following President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on the pontiff and Italian PM.
– Italian media characterised the trip as a “relations thawing mission,” after the American leader slammed the pontiff over his criticism of the war in Iran and railed against Meloni over her “unacceptable” comments after she openly defended the pope.
– Rubio is scheduled to have an audience with the Catholic leader at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, and will hold talks with Meloni at the same time Friday.
– He will also meet “with Italian government counterparts” — expected to include Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto — in an attempt to “advance bilateral relations and align on global challenges,” according to a U.S. official statement.
– Rubio previously met Leo alongside Vice President JD Vance in May 2025 following the pope’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square. His last visit to Italy dates back to February, when he and Vance met Meloni on the sidelines of the Olympic Winter Games.
– The Vatican announced the pope is also meeting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk Thursday afternoon.
https://www.politico.eu/article/us-marco-rubio-meeting-pope-leo-xiv-italy-giorgia-meloni