Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV.
According to a statement from State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to discuss the situation in the Middle East and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere. The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.”
The Vatican confirmed the meeting, although it did not provide details of the talks.
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Rubio also met with Holy See Secretary of State Parolin to “discuss mutual cooperation and pressing international issues,” Pigott said in a separate statement. “Secretary Rubio welcomed the recent arrival of Archbishop Caccia as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States,” he continued. “They reviewed ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Western Hemisphere and efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East. The discussion reflected the enduring partnership between the United States and the Holy See in advancing religious freedom.”
Sharing images of the meeting on X, Rubio said the discussion involved “our shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.”
Met with @Pontifex to underscore our shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity. pic.twitter.com/BIZ9SfW5nY
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 7, 2026
The State Department said earlier this week that the discussions would seek to “advance bilateral relations with Italy and the Vatican.”
“Secretary Rubio will meet with Holy See leadership to discuss the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere,” the statement said. “Meetings with Italian counterparts will be focused on shared security interests and strategic alignment.”
This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.
