Secretary of State Marco Rubio spent about two hours with Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, at the Vatican on Thursday as part of what is being seen as a fence-mending visit amid tensions with Trump
The White House’s top diplomat gifted Leo with a crystal football
Video of the moment circulated widely on social media
Pope Leo XIV had a decidedly “cordial” meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week, according to the church — including an exchange of unique gifts amid ongoing tensions between the Vatican and the White House.
Rubio, 54, reportedly spent about two hours with Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff, in Italy on Thursday, May 7, as part of what is being seen by observers as a fence-mending visit.
There, the White House’s top diplomat gifted Leo, 70, with a crystal football emblazoned with the seal of the State Department.
“Wow, okay,” the pope responded as Rubio showed him the gift, with Rubio quipping, “What to get someone who has everything?”
In exchange, the pope presented Rubio with a pen made from olive wood, a “plant of peace,” Leo noted.
Video of the moment circulated widely on social media, reflecting the ongoing interest in the rift between the pope and President Donald Trump.
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Though Leo has been careful to stress he isn’t criticizing Trump directly, he has repeatedly spoken out on some major geopolitical issues such as the U.S.-led war in Iran.
In response, among other criticism, Trump has charged that Leo is “very weak on crime and other things” and would tolerate increasing aggression from Iran.
In a thinly veiled rejoinder, Leo said earlier this week that “the mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth.”
Of Thursday’s meeting with Rubio, the Vatican’s press office said they shared “cordial talks” and “reaffirmed” a “shared commitment to fostering sound bilateral relations” between the Catholic Church and the U.S.
From left: Pope Leo XIV and Marco Rubio on Thursday, May 7, at the Vatican
Credit: Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty
A State Department spokesperson echoed that in a similar brief statement: “The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.”
While the State Department said Rubio and Leo discussed “the situation in the Middle East and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere,” the Vatican put it slightly differently — with an emphasis on “peace” in wartime.
“Views were … exchanged regarding situations on the regional and international levels, with particular attention given to countries experiencing war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace,” the pope’s press office said.
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