The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters has reported that U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome this week for high-level meetings
with Pope Leo and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, amid growing tensions
between Washington and its traditional allies.

Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser to
Donald Trump, is expected to visit Italy and the Vatican from Wednesday to
Friday to discuss bilateral relations and key international issues, according
to the U.S. State Department.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio would
meet Vatican officials to address developments in the Middle East and shared
interests in the Western Hemisphere, with discussions potentially including
U.S. tensions with Cuba.

The visit comes amid an unprecedented public rift between
Washington and the Vatican. Trump has criticized Pope Leo on social media after
the pontiff spoke out against the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and other
administration policies. Italian officials, including Meloni, have defended the
Pope, while Italy’s defense leadership has warned that the conflict could
undermine U.S. global leadership.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo is scheduled to meet
Rubio on Thursday. The Pope, who marks his first year leading the Catholic
Church this week, has recently taken a more outspoken stance on global issues,
particularly criticizing the war in Iran and U.S. immigration policies.

Trump’s criticism of the Pope in April, including calling
him “terrible,” drew backlash from Christian communities across political
lines. Pope Leo has also called for dialogue between the United States and Cuba
and expressed concern over rising tensions following Washington’s tightening of
restrictions on the island nation.

In March, Cuba released dozens of prisoners under an
agreement with the Vatican, while the Church has facilitated humanitarian
assistance on behalf of the United States.

Rubio, whose family has Cuban roots, last met Pope Leo in
May 2025 alongside Vice President JD Vance.

Rubio is also expected to meet Meloni and Italian Foreign
Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday, with talks focusing on security cooperation
and strategic coordination.

The meetings come as tensions grow between Washington and
its NATO allies, with Trump criticizing European partners for what he described
as insufficient support in the Iran conflict. He has also indicated plans to
withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from Germany and potentially reconsider troop
deployments in Spain and Italy.