Rubio Heads to High-Stakes Vatican Meeting With Pope Leo XIV, Adopts Softer Tone Than Trump

Senator Marco Rubio is traveling to the Vatican for a closely watched meeting with Pope Leo XIV, taking a noticeably more neutral tone toward the pontiff than President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Rubio acknowledged the recent public clash between Trump and the pope, saying they’ve “had some stuff that happened,” but stressed that his visit had been planned before bilateral tensions rose over Iran. A practicing Catholic, Rubio emphasized areas of common ground, including the preservation of religious freedom.

“We have shared concerns and shared values,” Rubio said, stressing the need to focus on constructive dialogue rather than public spat.

Topics Expected at the Meeting

Officials say the sitdown will likely touch on a range of issues, from religious freedom and humanitarian concerns to regional security and Cuba. Rubio’s diplomatic tone stands in sharp contrast to President Trump’s public criticism of the pope — Trump accused the pontiff of “endangering Catholics and a lot of people” over his stance on Iran — and observers expect Rubio to use the visit to reinforce cooperative ties.

Rubio departs Washington on Wednesday for Italy. During the trip he will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

Why It Matters

This meeting matters because it highlights a rare public divergence in tone between senior U.S. officials and the president on Vatican relations, while offering an opportunity to advance shared priorities such as religious liberty and diplomatic engagement on international hotspots.