Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Vatican on Thursday for a meeting with Pope Leo, a diplomatic engagement intended to signal a continued relationship between the United States and the Holy See. However, the meeting occurs against a backdrop of significant public disagreement between the Vatican and President Trump.
Pope Leo, the first American to hold the papacy, has positioned himself as a vocal critic of the administration’s firm stance on the war with Iran and its commitment to strict immigration enforcement.
President Trump has not shied away from the conflict, openly rebuking the pontiff and labeling him 'weak on crime' in response to his opposition to the administration's border policies.
While the State Department characterized the meeting as a sign of a strong relationship, the Vatican has remained silent, offering no immediate comment on the discussions held between the two leaders.
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