By Our Correspondent
National News – Pope Leo XIV is set to meet Marco Rubio on Thursday at the Vatican, in what observers describe as a strategic diplomatic move to ease growing tensions between the Holy See and the United States government.
The meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. local time in Vatican City, according to an official Vatican calendar release.
The planned discussion comes weeks after a public clash involving Donald Trump, who sharply criticised the Pope over his stance on global conflicts and international security issues.
The Pope, who leads over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, had earlier condemned political decisions fueling unrest, prompting backlash from Washington.
Sources within the Vatican say the meeting aims to “thaw” strained relations and open dialogue between both sides.
Rubio, a practicing Catholic, is also expected to hold talks with Pietro Parolin and Antonio Tajani during his visit to Rome.
Further diplomatic engagements may include a meeting with Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of Trump who recently defended the Pope amid criticism.
Analysts believe these meetings could shape future cooperation between the Vatican, Italy, and the US on geopolitical issues.
This will be the second known meeting between Pope Leo XIV and Rubio.
Their first interaction occurred in May 2025, shortly after the Pope’s election, when Rubio visited alongside US Vice President JD Vance.
Observers say Thursday’s meeting will focus on restoring trust, addressing disagreements, and exploring common ground on global peace efforts.
The outcome could influence diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Washington in the months ahead.
