Meloni Meets Rubio as Italy–U.S. Ties Fray Over Iran War and Trump–Pope Row

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on May 8 as relations between Rome and Washington showed uncommon strain, driven principally by the war with Iran and a separate row over comments about the pope.

Rubio was in Italy on a two-day visit intended both to repair relations with the Vatican after unprecedented public attacks on Pope Francis by President Donald Trump and to convey Washington's frustration over Italy's refusal to endorse U.S. and Israeli military action related to Iran.

Meloni, who was once one of Trump's most steadfast European allies, has in recent months been forced to balance her Atlantic ties with mounting domestic opposition to the conflict in Iran and the growing economic costs it is imposing at home. That tension has tested her role as a potential bridge between Washington and other EU capitals.

Before meeting the prime minister, Rubio held talks with Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani. Tajani described the discussions as constructive and reiterated the need for strong transatlantic cooperation.

"I am convinced that Europe needs America, Italy needs America, but the United States also needs Europe and Italy," Tajani told reporters.

Meloni and Rubio were expected to discuss developments in the Gulf, Russia's war in Ukraine, U.S. tariffs on European goods and Washington's diplomatic and economic posture toward Cuba.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Chigi Palace, in Rome, Italy, May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Matteo Minnella

Trump's Attacks On Pope

Italian officials were also eager for a readout of Rubio's Vatican meetings. Trump's public attacks on Pope Francis crossed a sensitive line in overwhelmingly Catholic Italy and prompted Meloni to call the comments "unacceptable."

Trump responded by accusing Meloni of lacking courage and of letting the United States down, and he later threatened to withdraw American troops from Italy. Meloni said she would not support removing U.S. forces, while acknowledging the decision was not hers alone: "It doesn't depend on me," she said.

Last month, Rome refused to allow U.S. aircraft to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for combat operations linked to the Iran conflict; Italian officials said Washington had not sought prior authorization for such use. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, a close Meloni ally, warned the Iran war threatened U.S. global leadership and said he feared the "madness" of potential nuclear escalation.

Pollsters warn Meloni's close association with Trump could become a political liability ahead of national elections due next year, as voters weigh the domestic costs of a distant conflict and the diplomatic fallout with key partners.

What This Means: The meetings underline how the Iran war and discord over the pope have complicated the Italy–U.S. relationship, forcing Italian leaders to navigate between alliance commitments and domestic political pressures.