A brief diplomatic trip could signal a White House effort to calm recent fallout with Rome and the Vatican. Details of meetings remain unsettled.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans a visit to Italy and the Vatican amid tensions in the relations among Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni, and Pope Leo XIV.
The trip is to take place on May 7–8, and in Rome it is viewed as a White House move to improve relations after sharp statements directed at the Pope and the Italian government.
Rubio is expected to hold talks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, as well as with the Vatican’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. However, it is not yet known whether the Secretary of State will meet directly with the Pope and Meloni.
“Weak on crime and terrible in foreign policy”
– Donald Trump
The tensions between the sides persist amid discussions about the war with Iran and differing positions among Washington, Rome, and the Vatican, which could affect the schedule of the upcoming visit.