Top US diplomat Rubio is set to meet with Pope Leo on Thursday, according to a source
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is anticipated to visit Italy this week for a meeting with Pope Leo, according to a Vatican source on Sunday, amid President Donald Trump’s criticisms of the Catholic pontiff that have sparked backlash from various political factions.
A senior source familiar with the pope’s plans, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak on the matter, indicated that the meeting—marking the first known in-person encounter between Leo and a U.S. cabinet official in nearly a year—is anticipated to occur on Thursday.
In recent weeks, the pope has adopted a more assertive speaking style, emerging as a vocal critic of the U.S.-Israeli-led war with Iran, following his earlier criticisms of the Trump administration’s stringent anti-immigration policies.
In April, Trump delivered pointed criticisms of Leo on social media multiple times, at one point labeling the pontiff as “terrible.” Leo was on a four-nation tour of Africa when these remarks garnered significant attention.
In May 2025, Rubio had his most recent meeting with Leo, the first U.S. pope, in the company of Vice President JD Vance. Two U.S. officials were present at the new pope’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square and subsequently held a private meeting with him the following day.
Leo celebrates his first anniversary as pope on Friday.
Italian national dailies La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported on Sunday that Rubio is set to visit Italy this week for meetings, including one with the Vatican’s lead diplomatic official, Pietro Parolin. However, it remains unclear if he will meet with Leo.
The U.S. State Department, Vatican press office, and an Italian government spokesperson have not yet provided responses to inquiries regarding the reports.
Rubio is anticipated to engage in discussions with Italy’s foreign and defense ministers, according to reports from Italian newspapers. The purpose of the trip is to alleviate tensions between the two nations following Trump’s direct criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is considered one of his closest European allies, last month.
It was still unclear whether Rubio would meet Meloni as well.
The trip follows the Pentagon’s announcement of a drawdown of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, its largest European base, on Friday. This decision comes amid a rift over the Iran War and tariff tensions, which have further strained relations between the U.S. and Europe.
Italy ranks as one of the European nations hosting a significant number of U.S. troops, with nearly 13,000 active-duty soldiers stationed at six bases by the end of 2025.
