Rubio to Visit Vatican for Meeting with Pope

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to travel to Italy this week, where he is expected to meet Pope Leo XIV, according to a Vatican source. The visit comes amid tensions following President Donald Trump's critical remarks about the head of the Catholic Church.

The meeting is expected to take place on Thursday and would be the first known personal contact between the pope and a member of the US government in almost a year. A source familiar with the pope's agenda confirmed it is a planned meeting, though official confirmation is still pending.

Pope Leo XIV has in recent weeks emerged as a vocal critic of US immigration policy and has spoken out against the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Trump repeatedly criticised him in April, drawing attention across the political spectrum.

Rubio last met the pope in May 2025, together with Vice President JD Vance. The two are also expected to hold talks with Italian ministers during the visit.

(reuters, bak)