Image: from the U.S. in Holy See X 
@USinHolySee
By Open Chronicle with agencies
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City on Thursday for discussions centered on the escalating situation in the Middle East and broader international issues, following weeks of public tension between the pontiff and US President Donald Trump.
According to the US State Department, the meeting focused on ongoing instability in the Middle East as well as matters of mutual concern across the Western Hemisphere. Officials described the talks as reaffirming the longstanding relationship between the United States and the Holy See.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the discussions highlighted a shared commitment to promoting peace, diplomacy, and human dignity amid growing global tensions.
Rubio, a practicing Catholic, also held separate talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The two sides discussed international cooperation and diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting peace in the Middle East, according to the State Department.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Vatican today to meet with Pope Leo XIV, amidst the tense rhetoric exchanged by both sides, primarily over the conflict in the Middle East. According to Secretary Rubio, the meeting doesn’t have to do with the aforementioned… pic.twitter.com/ClNGLVD8rX
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 7, 2026
The Vatican meetings took place after several weeks of increasingly strained rhetoric between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV. The dispute intensified following a televised report that highlighted the pontiff’s criticism of the war involving Iran and concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to discuss the situation in the Middle East and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/vjl1J1RWYu
— U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) May 7, 2026
While neither side publicly addressed the tensions during Thursday’s meetings, observers viewed the encounter as an effort to maintain diplomatic stability between Washington and the Vatican during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
The Vatican has repeatedly called for restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, warning against further escalation and emphasizing the humanitarian impact of regional warfare.
The Holy See traditionally maintains a neutral diplomatic posture during international conflicts and often acts as a channel for quiet dialogue between governments.
Rubio’s visit comes as the United States continues high-level diplomatic efforts related to negotiations involving Iran, regional maritime security, and ceasefire discussions connected to broader tensions across the Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean.