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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is greeted by a Vatican official as he arrives at the St. Damasus courtyard to meet with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin the Vatican, Thursday, May 7, 2026.

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Vatican and State Department stress solid ties after Rubio's fence-mending visit over Trump attacks

Vatican and State Department stress solid ties after Rubio's fence-mending visit over Trump attacks

The Vatican says the “need to work tirelessly in favor of peace” was discussed in talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio visited Rome on a fence-mending visit after President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV. The meetings on Thursday were aimed at easing tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV. Rubio met with Leo and then Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a visit that lasted 2½ hours. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that Rubio and Leo discussed the situation in the Middle East “and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere.