Rubio to meet Pope Leo XIV after Trump's criticism
Rubio to meet Pope Leo XIV after Trump's criticism
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY Mon, May 4, 2026 at 9:42 AM UTC
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Italy this week for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, a senior Vatican official told USA TODAY.
The visit would be the first meeting between the Chicago-born pontiff and a senior member of the administration since President Donald Trump sharply criticized the pope last month. The Vatican official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the meeting has not yet been publicly announced.
The Washington Post first reported news of the expected meeting.
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Trump has been at odds with the pope's position on the war in Iran. The Vatican has also traditionally acted as a mediator with Cuba, a country Trump has mused about taking over.
Last month, Trump criticized Leo, calling him “soft on crime” and “awful on foreign affairs.” The remarks sparked disagreement among conservative Catholics and triggered a wave of backlash. Trump also implied that Leo − the first pope born in the United States − was chosen by the conclave last year partly as a response to his own leadership.
Pope Leo XIV gestures, on the day he holds a holy Mass at Malabo Stadium, on the last day of his apostolic journey, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rubio to meet Pope Leo XIV after Trump's criticism
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