Senator Rubio Arrives at Vatican for Meeting with Pope Francis

US President Donald Trump Met with Vatican Officials Ahead of Rubio Visit

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Vatican officials took place at the Vatican on Thursday. The talks were requested by the US, according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Holy See.

During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed various topics, including efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East and the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace. They also exchanged views on current events, with particular attention to countries marked by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and human dignity. The meeting was seen as an opportunity for the US and the Vatican to strengthen their relationship.

Rubio spent two-and-a-half hours at the Vatican before departing in a convoy under tight security. He met with Pope Leo initially, followed by senior Vatican officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The talks were the first known meeting between Pope Leo and a Trump government official in nearly a year. The US Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, described the conversation as “frank”.

In recent weeks, there have been tensions between the Vatican and the White House over comments made by President Trump regarding the war in Iran. The pope has spoken out against the conflict, while Trump has accused him of being “weak on crime” and aligning with certain groups.

The meeting marked a significant development in the relationship between the US and the Vatican, as both sides sought to promote peace and understanding.

Source: Al Jazeera