The Pope has criticized Trump’s immigration policies and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
On Monday, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will receive U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 7 at the Apostolic Palace.
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Leo XIV, the first American pope, had criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies in 2025, and he now maintains a disagreement with the Republican president over the war in Iran.
On April 7, the pope called Trump’s threat to destroy “an entire civilization” in his conflict with Tehran “unacceptable.” Trump responded by calling him “weak” and “terrible at foreign policy.”
Trump attacked the Pope on his social media network, Truth Social, where he even posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, a gesture that drew international criticism.
A week later, Leo XIV stated that he did not fear the Trump administration and reaffirmed his intention to continue preaching peace. Meanwhile, Rubio, a practicing Catholic, already met with Pope Leo XIV and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in May 2025, the day after the papacy’s inauguration.
According to the U.S. State Department, the meeting aims to thaw diplomatic relations between Washington and the Vatican, analyze the situation in the Middle East, and discuss mutual interests in Latin America.
Rubio will also meet in Rome with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and with Italian officials such as Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV will also receive Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Apostolic Palace, strengthening European cooperation in the context of the war in the Middle East.
