DJ Marco to the Rescue? Trump Sends Rubio to Calm Tensions with Italy and the Pope
The Trump administration has sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Rome to ease tensions with Italy and the Vatican amid escalating rhetoric between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV. The diplomatic mission aims to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss shared security concerns, including the Middle East and Western Hemisphere issues. Rubio's visit comes after public disagreements over U.S. military actions and criticism from both the Pope and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
- ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Rome to meet with Vatican and Italian officials to improve strained relations.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV has criticized U.S. and Israeli actions in Iran, calling for peace and condemning Trump's rhetoric, including his 'a whole civilization will die tonight' statement.
- ▪President Trump responded by calling the Pope 'weak on crime' and 'very liberal,' while also clashing with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she defended the Pope.
- ▪Meloni criticized Trump's comments as 'unacceptable' and has distanced herself from the U.S. president, particularly over military actions in Iran.
- ▪Rubio is expected to meet with the Pope, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Italian officials including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and possibly Prime Minister Meloni.
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DJ Marco to the Rescue? Trump Sends Rubio to Calm Tensions with Italy and the Pope Sarah Anderson | 5:52 PM on May 04, 2026 AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool Relations between the United States and Italy and between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV have been delicate lately to say the least. So, the Trump administration is sending in the one man to the Vatican who can possibly help them recalibrate them this week: Marco Rubio. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display("div-gpt-300x250_3"); //googletag.pubads().refresh([gptAdSlot["div-gpt-300x250_3"]]) }); The State Department announced on Monday that the secretary of State will travel to Rome on Wednesday "to advance bilateral relations with Italy and the Vatican." "Secretary Rubio will meet with Holy See leadership to…
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