The arrival of the US Secretary of State will take place at a special moment – just before the anniversary of the election of Saint's successor. Peter.
The ANSA news agency reported, citing sources in the Vatican, that the audience with the Pope would take place on Thursday, May 7. Rubio is also scheduled to talk to Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Neither the Vatican nor the US Department of State has officially confirmed these plans.
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Italian media indicate that the main goal of the visit is to improve diplomatic ties between Washington and the Holy See. Relations between both sides deteriorated after a series of critical statements by President Donald Trump towards Leo XIV.
The Pope has repeatedly appealed for peace in the US war with Iran and stated that Trump's threats against the entire population of this country are unacceptable, and many consider the war itself to be unjust. Trump responded with sharp criticism.
Rubio's visit to the Vatican will come one day before the first anniversary of the election of Leo XIV, the first-ever pope from the United States. The Secretary of State, who was a Catholic, met with the successor of St. Peter during the inauguration of his pontificate on May 18, 2025. On the same day, US Vice President JD Vance participated in the mass.
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During his stay in Italy, Rubio is scheduled to talk to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetti. Italian media also report a possible meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Relations between Washington and Rome have also deteriorated recently – Trump criticized Prime Minister Meloni for refusing to support the US in the war with Iran, and she assessed his comments about the Pope as unacceptable.
