Overview
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope León XIV at the Vatican on Thursday in talks both sides called friendly and constructive.
- The State Department said the conversation underscored a solid U.S.–Vatican relationship with a shared push for peace and human dignity.
- The agenda stressed steps to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East, with Iran and Lebanon drawing special focus.
- Both parties reviewed humanitarian work in the Americas, including plans to route more aid to Cuba through Catholic groups such as Caritas.
- Rubio also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin in what marked the first known cabinet-level contact with the pope in nearly a year, as tensions from President Trump’s recent attacks and disputed nuclear claims linger despite open channels.