Talks between the Vatican and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took place in Rome on Thursday, with the Holy See saying discussions focused heavily on global conflict zones and the need for continued peace efforts. The meetings come as relations between Washington and the Vatican face renewed strain following criticism from US President Donald Trump toward Pope Leo.
Rubio was received by Pope Leo at the Apostolic Palace, where the two greeted each other and exchanged brief remarks. The pope addressed him as “Mr Secretary”, while Rubio responded: “Great to see you.” The US secretary of state, who is Catholic, also presented the pope with a small crystal American football and joked about the pontiff’s Chicago roots and baseball allegiance.
After the 45-minute audience, Rubio met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and top diplomat. Parolin had earlier described recent US criticism of the pope as “rather strange.”
A Vatican statement said the discussions included “countries marked by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations,” along with “the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace.” US officials briefed reporters that the meetings were “friendly and constructive.”
A State Department spokesperson said Rubio also met Leo “to discuss the situation in the Middle East and issues of mutual interest in the western hemisphere.” The spokesperson added: “The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See, as well as their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity," reports The Guardian.
The visit comes after a series of public back-and-forths between Trump and the Vatican. On Tuesday, Trump accused the pope of supporting nuclear weapons and “endangering a lot of Catholics” over comments tied to the Iran conflict. Leo responded the following day, saying: “If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth: the church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, there is no doubt about that. I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God’s word.”
The Holy See has recently pushed back against US criticism more broadly. Parolin said earlier this week that Trump attacking the pope “in this way, or reproaching him for what he does, seems rather strange, to say the least”. He also said: “I count on no one. I count only on our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Rubio was received by Pope Leo at the Apostolic Palace, where the two greeted each other and exchanged brief remarks. The pope addressed him as “Mr Secretary”, while Rubio responded: “Great to see you.” The US secretary of state, who is Catholic, also presented the pope with a small crystal American football and joked about the pontiff’s Chicago roots and baseball allegiance.
After the 45-minute audience, Rubio met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and top diplomat. Parolin had earlier described recent US criticism of the pope as “rather strange.”
A Vatican statement said the discussions included “countries marked by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations,” along with “the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace.” US officials briefed reporters that the meetings were “friendly and constructive.”
A State Department spokesperson said Rubio also met Leo “to discuss the situation in the Middle East and issues of mutual interest in the western hemisphere.” The spokesperson added: “The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See, as well as their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity," reports The Guardian.
The visit comes after a series of public back-and-forths between Trump and the Vatican. On Tuesday, Trump accused the pope of supporting nuclear weapons and “endangering a lot of Catholics” over comments tied to the Iran conflict. Leo responded the following day, saying: “If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth: the church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, there is no doubt about that. I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God’s word.”
The Holy See has recently pushed back against US criticism more broadly. Parolin said earlier this week that Trump attacking the pope “in this way, or reproaching him for what he does, seems rather strange, to say the least”. He also said: “I count on no one. I count only on our Lord Jesus Christ.”
