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Rubio Gifts Pope Football, Announces 14% Troop Cut

5/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented Pope Leo XIV a crystal football bearing the State Department seal on May 7-8, 2026.
Rubio told Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani the U.S. will move under 14 % of its German troops, a decision for the president.
He noted a $6 million Cuban aid package blocked by Havana and cited Tajani’s claim that Europe, Italy and the United States need the other, underscoring NATO unity.

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Story summary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented Pope Leo XIV a crystal football bearing the State Department seal on May 7-8, 2026.
Rubio told Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani the U.S. will move under 14 % of its German troops, a decision for the president.
He noted a $6 million Cuban aid package blocked by Havana and cited Tajani’s claim that Europe, Italy and the United States need the other, underscoring NATO unity.