US Diplomat Rubio To Meet Pope Leo Amidst Growing Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Italy this week. He will meet with Pope Leo. A Vatican source revealed this information on Sunday. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday. This will be the first in-person encounter between Pope Leo and a U.S. cabinet official in almost a year.

The Pope has become an outspoken critic of the U.S.-Israeli-led war with Iran. He has also criticized the Trump administration's strict anti-immigration policies. President Trump has publicly attacked Pope Leo on social media multiple times in April. He called the Pope "terrible" in one instance. These attacks drew significant attention. This occurred while the Pope was on a four-nation tour of Africa.

Rubio last met Pope Leo in May 2025. Vice President JD Vance accompanied him then. They attended the Pope's inaugural Mass. They also had a private meeting the following day. Pope Leo marks his first year as Pontiff on Friday. Sales of Vatican subscriptions in Ghana show varied interest in religious news. Weekly Vatican subscription costs GHS 2. Monthly costs are GHS 9. Daily costs are GHS 0.30.

Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera also reported on Sunday. They stated Rubio would visit Italy for meetings. These included talks with Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's lead diplomat. The reports did not confirm a meeting with Pope Leo. The U.S. State Department, Vatican press office, and Italian government spokespeople did not immediately comment.

Rubio is also anticipated to meet with Italy's foreign and defence ministers. This trip aims to ease tensions between the U.S. and Italy. President Trump recently criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni is a close European ally of the U.S. It remains unclear if Rubio will meet with Prime Minister Meloni.

This visit follows a Pentagon announcement. The Department of Defense is reducing U.S. troops in Germany by 5,000. This is its largest European base. The drawdown occurred on Friday. It highlights rifts over the Iran war and trade disputes. These issues strain U.S.-Europe relations. Italy hosts a significant U.S. military presence. It has nearly 13,000 active-duty soldiers. They are stationed across six bases as of the end of 2025.