Rubio to visit Vatican in wake of Trump and Pope Leo spat
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Rome and Vatican City from May 6-8 to discuss bilateral relations, the Middle East, and Western Hemisphere interests with Italian and Holy See leaders. The trip follows President Donald Trump's public feud with Pope Leo XIV over the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and tensions with European allies. Trump has expressed disappointment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from Italy and Spain due to their lack of support.
- ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and Vatican City for talks from May 6-8.
- ▪The visit comes after President Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for advocating peace in the Iran conflict.
- ▪Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni broke with Trump by defending the Pope's call for peace.
- ▪Trump has threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from Italy and Spain over their positions on the Iran war.
- ▪Meloni, once a close Trump ally, stated that the Pope has the right to condemn war and call for peace.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head to Rome and Vatican City on Wednesday to speak with leaders for bilateral talks, the State Department announced. “Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome, Italy May 6-8 to advance bilateral relations with Italy and the Vatican. Secretary Rubio will meet with Holy See leadership to discuss the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere,” Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement. Recommended Stories Trump’s ‘ceasefire at risk’ as Iran tensions rise: Mabinty Quarshie Tiana Lowe Doescher says Iran pressure campaign showing results: ‘Not financial Armageddon’ Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ to allow stranded ships through Strait of Hormuz Rubio’s three-day visit with the Holy See and Italian leadership…
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