Pope Leo XIV has received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican, days after President Donald Trump publicly criticised the pontiff over his stance on the conflict with Iran.
The meeting on May 7, 2026 was reported by L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy See’s official newspaper. It came on the eve of the first anniversary of the pope’s election, which made the former Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago the first US-born pontiff.
The two discussed the situation in the Middle East and “topics of mutual interest” in the western hemisphere, according to US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott. He said the talks had underscored the “strong” relationship between the United States and the Holy See, as well as a “shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity”.
Rubio also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, to discuss bilateral cooperation and pressing international affairs. The two reviewed ongoing humanitarian initiatives in the western hemisphere and efforts to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Holy See said in a statement the “cordial conversations” had renewed “their shared commitment to cultivating good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America”. Talks also covered countries marked by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations.
The visit followed remarks by Trump on conservative broadcaster Salem News Channel in which he accused Leo XIV of “endangering many Catholics and many people”. Trump alleged the pontiff “prefers to talk about” how it would be acceptable for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. “I don’t think that is good,” he said.
Days before the meeting, Rubio sought to play down Trump’s comments and denied that his Vatican trip was intended to “smooth things over” with the Holy See. He said the visit had been “planned beforehand” and that there was “much to discuss”.
The agenda included shared concerns over religious freedom and the situation in Cuba, where Washington has tightened sanctions in recent months. “We receive $6 million (€5.4 million) in humanitarian aid but [Cuban authorities] do not let us distribute it. We distribute it through the Church,” Rubio said.
Asked about Trump’s accusations, Rubio rejected the President’s characterisation. He said Trump had simply meant Iran could not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons because it would target Catholics, Christians and others.
The Pope had responded to Trump on Tuesday, telling reporters: “The mission of the Church is to announce the Gospel, to preach peace. If anyone wishes to criticise me for announcing the Gospel, let them do so with the truth.”
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Leo XIV had voiced hope for “a good dialogue” conducted “with confidence” and “with openness”. He said the Church had spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, according to Vatican News. “There is no doubt about it,” he said.
The pontiff also received Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on May 7, the Holy See’s press office said. Talks with Parolin focused on the war in Ukraine and Poland’s role in the EU in that context.
