VATICAN CITY, May 7 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV and discussed the situation in West Asia along with other areas of mutual interest in what is being viewed as an effort to improve ties between Washington and the Holy See.
Sharing details of the meeting, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the two leaders discussed developments in the Middle East and issues of shared concern in the Western Hemisphere.
“The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” Pigott said.
Rubio also shared photographs from the meeting on X and wrote, “Met with @Pontifex to underscore our shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.”
Citing the press pool on the ground, CNN reported that Rubio spent more than two hours inside the Apostolic Palace, though it remains unclear how long his meeting with the Pope lasted. The visit was also expected to include discussions with other Vatican officials.
Earlier, ahead of the meeting, Rubio had said he intended to discuss Cuba during his Vatican visit. According to CNN, the Trump administration has distributed millions of dollars in humanitarian aid on the island through the Catholic Church.
Rubio’s visit to the Vatican comes after a recent exchange of criticism between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV following the Pope’s opposition to the US military operation in Iran.
CNN also noted that the meeting marked the second interaction between Rubio and the Pope within a year. Rubio and Vice President JD Vance had previously met Pope Leo XIV after his inauguration Mass last year. (ANI)
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