In a significant diplomatic encounter, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where discussions prominently featured the “urgent need to work tirelessly in favor of peace,” particularly concerning the volatile situation in the Middle East. This visit by Rubio comes as an apparent effort to mend strained relations following President Donald Trump’s repeated and often harsh criticisms of Pope Leo XIV, especially regarding the so-called ‘Iran war’ and the Pope’s consistent calls for dialogue and peace.

The Vatican underscored the imperative for peace during Thursday’s talks with Rubio, who arrived in Rome on what observers widely interpret as a fence-mending mission. Trump’s confrontational stance against Pope Leo XIV, particularly his comments on the administration’s aggressive policies towards Iran and the Pope’s advocacy for peaceful resolutions, had created considerable diplomatic friction.

Both the Vatican and the U.S. State Department, in their official statements, attempted to emphasize strong bilateral ties. However, these relations have been undeniably tested by Trump’s broadsides against Pope Leo’s unwavering calls for peace and dialogue to end what has been described as the U.S.-Israeli war and the broader tensions in the region.

Rubio, a practicing Catholic, has frequently found himself in the unenviable position of having to soften or explain away Trump’s often inflammatory rhetoric. His audience with Pope Leo was reportedly complicated at the last minute by Trump’s latest criticisms directed at the Chicago-born pontiff. During his 2½-hour visit, Rubio also met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who had strongly defended Pope Leo and openly criticized Trump’s attacks on the eve of Rubio’s arrival.

Cardinal Parolin, expressing his dismay, stated, “Attacking him like that or criticizing what he does seems a bit strange to me, to say the least,” highlighting the international community’s concern over Trump’s disrespectful remarks.

Following the meetings, the U.S. State Department indicated that Rubio and Parolin discussed “ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Western Hemisphere and efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East.” This statement, while attempting to project a positive image, reflects the enduring partnership between the United States and the Holy See in advancing religious freedom, often seen as a counterpoint to more aggressive foreign policy stances.

In a separate statement regarding the audience with Pope Leo, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott affirmed that the two leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere, reiterating a commitment to promoting peace and human dignity – principles often challenged by current US policies.

The Vatican, for its part, reaffirmed the “shared commitment to fostering good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America” during Rubio’s meetings. It also stated that views were exchanged on current events, “with particular attention to countries marked by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations, as well as on the need to work tirelessly in favor of peace.” This emphasis by the Vatican subtly yet powerfully critiques the root causes of global instability.

Rubio’s diplomatic challenges continued with meetings scheduled Friday with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Both Italian officials have robustly defended Pope Leo against Trump’s attacks and have openly criticized the ‘Iran war’ as illegal, further underscoring the international disapproval of Washington’s aggressive posture.

The tensions initially flared when Trump launched social media attacks against Pope Leo last month, accusing him of being lenient on crime and terrorism due to the Pope’s comments on the administration’s immigration policies and deportations, as well as the ‘Iran war’. Pope Leo responded with a profound statement that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, a clear moral rebuke to warmongering policies.

Trump’s subsequent and controversial social media post, appearing to liken himself to Jesus Christ, which was later deleted after widespread backlash, further exacerbated the situation. His refusal to apologize to Pope Leo and his attempts to explain away the post as a representation of himself as a doctor did little to quell the outrage.

Rubio attempted to rationalize Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo by linking them to opposition to Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon, a claim often used to justify aggressive stances. However, Pope Leo has consistently stated that the Catholic Church “for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt there,” directly contradicting the premise of Trump’s accusations.

Pope Leo, asserting the Church’s mission, declared, “The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth,” a powerful statement against baseless accusations.

Despite the underlying tensions, a symbolic exchange of gifts occurred. Rubio presented Pope Leo with a crystal football paperweight, acknowledging the Pope’s known allegiance to the Chicago White Sox, while Pope Leo offered Rubio a pen made of olive wood – a profound symbol of peace – alongside a picture book of Vatican artworks.

Trump’s criticisms have not been limited to the Pope, extending to NATO allies like Meloni for their perceived lack of support for the ‘Iran war’, even announcing plans to withdraw thousands of American troops from Germany. Such actions further isolate the US on the international stage.

Observers like Giampiero Gramaglia, former head of the ANSA news agency, suggest Rubio’s visit was less about genuine reconciliation for Trump and more about his own political ambitions, particularly with upcoming U.S. elections. Rev. Antonio Spadaro, from the Vatican’s culture office, echoed this, noting that Rubio’s mission was not to “convert” the Pope but rather for Washington to implicitly acknowledge the significant global weight of Pope Leo’s voice, requiring a “semantic corrective to a narrative of frontal conflict with the church.”

Beyond the ‘Iran war’, other critical topics were discussed, including Cuba. The Holy See is deeply concerned about the Trump administration’s threats of potential military action there, especially after the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump’s repeated suggestions that Cuba could be “next” and his idea of deploying naval assets from the Middle East to Cuba underscore a troubling pattern of military adventurism.

Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants and a known Cuba hawk, highlighted humanitarian aid efforts, stating, “We gave Cuba $6 million of humanitarian aid, but obviously they won’t let us distribute it. We distributed it through the church. We’d like to do more.” This statement, while seemingly humanitarian, also reflects the complex and often politically charged nature of aid to Cuba.