U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday in a visit aimed at easing tensions between Washington and the Holy See following recent disagreements over the Iran war and President Donald Trump’s criticism of the pope.
The meeting combined diplomacy with an unexpected light moment after Rubio presented the pope with a crystal football paperweight carrying the seal of the U.S. State Department.
“What to get someone who has everything?” Rubio joked as he handed over the gift, according to the Associated Press.
The pope, who is known to support the Chicago White Sox, appeared surprised by the present and responded briefly: “Wow. Okay.”
In return, Pope Leo XIV gave Rubio a pen made from olive wood, describing olive as “the plant of peace.” The pope also presented him with a book featuring Vatican artwork.
The exchange came during a broader diplomatic effort to stabilize relations between the United States and the Vatican after weeks of public friction linked to the Iran conflict and comments made by President Trump about the pontiff.
Vatican and U.S. Stress Strong Relations
According to statements released after the meeting, both the Vatican and the U.S. State Department emphasized the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations despite recent disagreements.
The Vatican said discussions focused on countries affected by war, political tensions, and humanitarian crises. It added that both sides discussed “the need to work tirelessly in favor of peace.”
The U.S. State Department also described the talks as constructive, saying Rubio and the pope discussed the Middle East, humanitarian concerns, and efforts to promote peace and human dignity.
Also Read: Marco Rubio Meets Pope Leo XIV in Rome as U.S.-Vatican Tensions Rise Over Iran War
Rubio later met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who had earlier defended Pope Leo XIV against criticism from Trump.
On Wednesday, Parolin told reporters that attacking the pope over his peace messages “seems a bit strange to me, to say the least.”
The Vatican has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy in relation to the Iran conflict, while Trump has defended his administration’s hard-line approach toward Tehran.
Trump’s Criticism Created Diplomatic Strain
Tensions between the White House and the Vatican increased after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV over comments about war and immigration policies.
The pope recently said God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, remarks widely interpreted as criticism of ongoing military action involving Iran and Israel.
Trump later accused the pope of being too soft on Iran and suggested the pontiff was comfortable with Tehran potentially obtaining nuclear weapons. Vatican officials strongly rejected that interpretation.
Pope Leo XIV responded earlier this week by reaffirming the Catholic Church’s long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons.
Also Read: Pope Leo Carries Photo of Child Who Greeted Him Before Being Killed in Israeli Strikes
“The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” the pope said.
Rubio, a practicing Catholic, has often found himself explaining or defending Trump’s rhetoric abroad. During his Rome visit, he argued that Trump’s concerns were linked to fears that Iran could obtain nuclear weapons that might threaten Christians and other civilians.
Despite the disagreements, Thursday’s meeting appeared to lower tensions publicly, with both sides avoiding direct criticism and focusing instead on diplomacy and humanitarian cooperation.
Why This Matters
The Vatican remains an influential voice in global diplomacy, particularly on issues involving war, migration, and humanitarian aid. Public disagreements between the pope and the White House can affect international perception of U.S. foreign policy, especially among Catholic communities worldwide.
Rubio’s visit signaled an effort by the Trump administration to maintain working relations with the Holy See even as policy differences remain unresolved.
