US EditionRubio to travel to Italy May 6-8, State Dept says after tensions with pope
The visit comes as the White House seeks to cool tensions with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war and broader Middle East policy.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Rome and Vatican City last Thursday and Friday for high-level talks aimed at repairing diplomatic relations with the Holy See and the Italian government.
- The trip addresses friction between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, stemming from Trump's criticisms of the pontiff's stances on the Middle East and the Iran war.
- Rubio met with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss shared security interests and strategic alignment.
- President Trump hinted at reducing US forces in NATO-partner Italy amid dissatisfaction with Rome's cooperation, as the Pentagon recently announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany.
- Reconciling US-European agendas remains difficult, particularly regarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and policies concerning the Iranian conflict in the Middle East.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Rubio To Meet With Vatican And Italy Representatives Amid Tensions
By George Caldwell, The Daily Signal | May 04, 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit the Vatican and Italy this week, the state department confirmed Monday. The White House has publicly feuded with both states on foreign policy. In a statement, the State Department said Rubio will meet with “Holy See leadership to discuss the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere.”Pope Leo XIV has criticizedopens in…
Radio Free Europe/ RadioLiberty
ugandanews.netRubio Heads To Rome, Vatican As Iran War Strains US Ties With Europe
As the Iran war strains ties between Washington and its European allies, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Rome and the Vatican in a trip analysts say is as much about damage control as diplomacy.
Rubio to visit Vatican in wake of Trump and Pope Leo spat
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 Tomm…
Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit the Vatican this week as tensions between Trump and the pope rise
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and Vatican City this week in a bid to ease rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over U.S. policies, particularly the Iran war.
Associated Press News
Rubio plans to visit the Vatican this week as tensions between Trump and the pope rise
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and Vatican City this week in a bid to ease rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over U.S. policies, particularly the Iran war.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
