In a highly anticipated diplomatic visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in Vatican City and Italy on May 7, sparking renewed speculation about the state of US-Vatican relations. Rubio's meeting with Pope Leo XIV, just days after President Trump publicly criticized the pontiff, is being closely watched by observers who see it as a key moment in determining the future of the two nations' diplomatic ties. Trump's recent comments, in which he accused the Pope of "endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people," marked a significant escalation in a long-standing feud between the two leaders. As Rubio engages in high-stakes talks with the Vatican, questions are being raised about the potential consequences for the US's relationships with the global Catholic community and the international community at large.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a two-day visit to Vatican City and Italy on May 7 by meeting Pope Leo XIV, days after President Trump claimed the first American-born pontiff was “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”
