Rubio meets Pope Leo in bid to ease tensions after Trump’s recent criticism
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo at the Vatican for a 2.5‑hour discussion focused on achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. The meeting also served as diplomatic damage control after President Trump’s recent public attacks on the pope. Rubio, a devout Catholic, aimed to ease tensions and reaffirm cooperation between the U.S. and the Vatican.