WASHINGTON D.C.– The United States has sought to reassure the Holy See of its strong ties after tensions erupted between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV.
The diplomatic push came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with the pope at the Vatican on Thursday.
Rubio and Pope Leo discuss Middle East conflict
According to the US State Department, the discussions between Rubio and the pontiff were “friendly and constructive”.
The talks focused heavily on the Middle East conflict, humanitarian issues and broader peace efforts.
US officials said the meeting highlighted the “strong relationship” between Washington and the Vatican, alongside a shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.
The Vatican also described the discussions as “cordial”, adding that both sides stressed the need to work tirelessly for peace amid rising global tensions.
Rubio later met Pietro Parolin to discuss religious freedom and international diplomacy.
Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo sparks global attention
The meeting came days after Trump launched an extraordinary public attack on the first American pope in history.
Trump accused Pope Leo of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff criticised threats linked to the Middle East war.
The pope had condemned suggestions of destroying Iranian civilisation, calling such rhetoric “truly unacceptable”.
Trump later escalated the feud by claiming the pope was endangering Catholics through his stance on Iran.
In response, Pope Leo defended the Catholic Church’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons and insisted the Church’s mission remains centred on preaching peace.
“If anyone wishes to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” the pope said.
Why the Vatican relationship matters politically
The tensions have drawn intense attention globally because Pope Leo is the first US-born pontiff and carries growing influence in American political debates.
The Vatican and Washington continue to cooperate on several international issues, including diplomacy in Cuba and humanitarian matters.
Rubio’s visit appeared aimed at preventing the public clash from escalating further, especially as the Trump administration faces scrutiny from Catholic voters.
The Vatican signalled it remains open to engagement, with Cardinal Parolin dismissing the attacks by saying: “The pope is being the pope.”
