U.S. Secretary of State Meets Pope Leo XIV to Discuss Middle East Situation and More

Pope Presents Olive Wood Pen Symbolizing Peace
Rubio Scheduled to Meet Italian Prime Minister Meloni

On May 7 (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican to discuss recent issues, including the war in Iran.

Tommy Pigott, chief spokesperson for the State Department, said that the two exchanged views on the U.S.-Iran war and the situation in the Middle East, as well as matters of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere. This was Secretary Rubio's second audience with the Pope since May of last year.

Photo by Yonhap News Agency featuring U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (center)

The 'matters of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere' are believed to refer to the United States' high-intensity pressure on Cuba or humanitarian support for Cuba from the Catholic Church.

Chief Spokesperson Pigott said, "This meeting highlighted the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and the shared commitment of both sides to advancing peace and human dignity."

The Holy See also issued a statement, reaffirming the joint will to further develop the good bilateral relationship between the Holy See and the United States. It added that the two exchanged views on regional and international situations, paying special attention to countries facing war, political tension, and difficult humanitarian circumstances. The statement emphasized that they also discussed the need to work tirelessly for peace.

The Pope presented Secretary Rubio with an olive wood pen engraved with the papal coat of arms. The Pope was reported to have emphasized, "The olive tree is the tree of peace." Secretary Rubio presented the Pope with a crystal American football. The Pope is known to be a sports fan who enjoys various activities.

Secretary Rubio's visit is interpreted as an effort to resolve the recent conflict between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Pope over the Middle East crisis. Previously, the Pope had strongly criticized war on a daily basis, quoting the Bible. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Pope, saying, "He is weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy."

On May 8, Secretary Rubio is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Prime Minister Meloni, considered the closest among European leaders to the United States, defended the Pope, which led President Trump to criticize her as well.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.