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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels to Rome to repair diplomatic damage after President Trump called Pope Leo XIV 'weak' and 'terrible'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Italy and Vatican City this week in a high-stakes diplomatic mission to repair relations after President Donald Trump launched a series of personal attacks against Pope Leo XIV. The visit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, comes amid a broader deterioration in US-European ties, with Trump also threatening to withdraw American troops from Italy and Germany.
Rubio, a devout Catholic, is expected to meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin — the pope's right-hand man on foreign affairs — as well as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, according to Italian media reports. A meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been requested but not yet confirmed.
Background: The Trump-Pope Conflict
The feud erupted in mid-April 2025 when Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope in history, condemned Trump's threat to 'wipe out the entire Iranian civilization' during the US-Israeli war with Iran. The pope called the threat 'truly unacceptable' and urged all parties to pursue peace negotiations.
Trump responded on social media by calling the pontiff 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy' and accusing him of being wrong about Iran's nuclear capabilities. The president also posted — and later deleted — a controversial AI-generated image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure, which drew widespread backlash from conservative Christians and religious leaders who called it blasphemous.
'God does not bless any conflict,' Pope Leo XIV said during a peace vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, responding indirectly to Trump's criticism. 'No cause justifies spilling innocent blood.' The pope emphasized he is not being political but is simply following the Gospel's message of peace.
Collateral Damage: US-Italy Relations
The dispute quickly spread beyond the Vatican. When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — a right-wing populist and ideological ally of Trump — publicly defended the pope, calling Trump's criticism 'unacceptable,' the president turned on her. Trump said he was 'shocked' by Meloni's stance and accused her of lacking courage.
Trump then threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy, claiming the country had not provided sufficient support for the Iran war. Italy had refused the use of a Sicilian airbase for US planes carrying weapons for the conflict. Approximately 12,600 US troops are currently stationed in Italy. The threat mirrors similar pressure applied to Germany, where Trump recently announced the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops, citing Berlin's insufficient cooperation.
This diplomatic rift is particularly significant because Meloni had been one of Trump's closest European allies. The US-Italy diplomatic tensions now threaten to undermine broader NATO cohesion at a time of heightened global instability.
Rubio's Diplomatic Mission
Rubio, who previously met Pope Leo XIV alongside Vice President JD Vance in May 2025, is seen as a natural envoy given his Catholic faith and his role as America's top diplomat. Italian media have framed the visit as an effort to 'thaw relations' between Washington and the Holy See.
The secretary of state's agenda includes discussions on international conflicts, religious freedom, and humanitarian law. The Vatican has consistently called for a negotiated solution to the Iran war and has urged respect for international law in conflict zones. Rubio's meetings will also address the broader deterioration in US-European relations, which has been exacerbated by Trump's tariff threats and troop withdrawal announcements.
The Trump administration diplomatic strategy appears to be one of damage control, sending a senior Catholic official to mend fences while the president continues his confrontational posture toward allies. Whether Rubio's visit can restore trust remains uncertain, as the pope has shown no sign of backing down from his moral stance against war.
Impact and Implications
The Trump-Pope conflict carries significant implications for US foreign policy and domestic politics. Pope Leo XIV, despite being American-born, has emerged as a vocal critic of the administration's approach to war and immigration. His approval among US Catholics remains strong, and the feud may complicate Trump's relationship with Catholic voters heading into the next election cycle.
Analysts note that the Vatican-US diplomatic relations have rarely been this strained in modern history. The last comparable dispute occurred under Pope Francis and the Obama administration over healthcare and religious liberty issues, but the current rift involves direct personal insults from a sitting US president against a sitting pope.
The broader US-European alliance is also under unprecedented strain. Trump's threats to withdraw troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain, combined with his tariff war on EU auto imports, have led European diplomats to describe the situation as 'unnerving.' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticized the US strategy, while EU officials brace for further escalations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Marco Rubio visiting the Vatican?
Rubio is traveling to Rome to repair diplomatic relations after President Trump called Pope Leo XIV 'weak' and 'terrible' for criticizing the US-Israeli war on Iran. Rubio, a Catholic, is seen as a natural envoy to mend the rift.
What did Trump say about Pope Leo XIV?
Trump called the pope 'WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy' on social media after the pontiff condemned Trump's threat to annihilate Iranian civilization. Trump also posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, which he later deleted after backlash.
How did Italian PM Giorgia Meloni respond?
Meloni called Trump's criticism of the pope 'unacceptable,' prompting Trump to say he was 'shocked' by her stance. Trump then threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy, escalating the diplomatic crisis.
What is the status of US troops in Germany?
The Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, to be completed over six to 12 months. Trump has threatened further reductions, citing Germany's insufficient support for the Iran war.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, is the first American-born pope in Catholic history. He was elected in May 2025 and has consistently opposed armed conflict and nationalism while advocating for immigrant rights.
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