Story perspectives

Rubio Meets Pope and Italy PM Amid Trump Criticism

5/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels to Rome on May 7-8, meeting Pope Leo XIV at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Friday.
President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Pope’s anti-war remarks and of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s defense of the pontiff.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.

History

Historical Context

During the 2003 run-up to the Iraq war, President George W. Bush launched the invasion while Pope John Paul II publicly condemned it, prompting a diplomatic rift that Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Sodano highlighted by noting a humanitarian crisis affecting 1.2 million Iraqis. Massive global protests—about 36 million people—underscored the tension, a legacy that shapes today’s US-Vatican consultations.

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Story summary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels to Rome on May 7-8, meeting Pope Leo XIV at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Friday.
President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Pope’s anti-war remarks and of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s defense of the pontiff.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.

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