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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Italy this week for meetings that include Pope Leo XIV, according to the Vatican, as tensions between the pontiff and President Donald Trump have drawn international attention.
The meeting, expected on Thursday, would mark the first known in-person encounter between the pope and a U.S. Cabinet official in nearly a year. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the pope’s schedule publicly.
Rubio last met Leo in May 2025, when he and Vice President JD Vance attended the pope’s inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square and held a private meeting the following day.
The anticipated visit comes after a series of public disagreements. Pope Leo has recently spoken out against the U.S.-Israel war involving Iran and has previously criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The president sharply criticized the pope on social media in April, at one point calling him “terrible,” remarks that drew criticism from political leaders across the spectrum.
Rubio is also expected to meet with senior Italian officials, including representatives of the government led by Giorgia Meloni, as part of broader diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and European allies.
Italian media previously reported that Rubio would also meet with the Vatican’s top diplomat, Pietro Parolin, though it remains unclear whether that meeting will coincide with a papal audience.
Officials from the U.S. State Department and the Vatican have not publicly confirmed the visit.
The trip comes at a key moment for international relations, following recent disagreements over the Iran conflict, trade issues and U.S. troop deployments in Europe. The Pentagon recently announced plans to reduce its military presence in Germany, adding to concerns among European allies.
Italy hosts one of the largest U.S. troop presences in Europe, with about 13,000 active-duty personnel stationed across multiple bases as of late 2025.
