world 3 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
US Secretary Rubio Set for Thursday Meeting with Pope Leo in Italy
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Pope Leo in Italy on Thursday, marking the first in-person encounter with a US cabinet official in nearly a year. The visit occurs amid tensions from President Trump's public criticisms of the pontiff. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/top-us-diplomat-rubio-to-meet-with-pope-leo-on-thursday-source-says-5445712
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Italy this week for a meeting with Pope Leo on Thursday, according to a Vatican source familiar with the pope’s plans.
This will be the first known face-to-face discussion between Pope Leo and a US cabinet member in almost a year. The source spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization.
Pope Leo, the first US-born pope, has recently voiced strong opposition to the US-Israel led conflict with Iran and previously condemned the Trump administration’s strict immigration stance. Trump targeted the pope on social media in April, labeling him ‘terrible’ during Leo’s Africa tour.
Rubio’s last meeting with Leo was in May 2025, joined by Vice President JD Vance at the pope’s inaugural Mass and a follow-up private session. Friday marks Leo’s first anniversary as pontiff.
Italian outlets La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported Rubio’s trip, noting talks with Vatican diplomat Pietro Parolin, Italy’s foreign and defense ministers, aimed at mending ties strained by Trump’s remarks on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. A meeting with Meloni remains unconfirmed.
The visit follows the Pentagon’s announcement of withdrawing 5,000 US troops from Germany amid disputes over the Iran war and tariffs. Italy hosts nearly 13,000 US troops across six bases.
Neither the US State Department, Vatican press office, nor Italian officials have commented.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)