Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Italy this week to meet with Pope Leo XIV, Antonio Tajani, and Giorgia Meloni amid escalating tensions between the U.S., Vatican, and Italy. The trip follows President Trump’s public attacks on the pope over criticism of U.S. Iran policy and his subsequent criticism of Meloni for defending the Vatican. Officials confirm Rubio will meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the pope, while Italian and Vatican sources note potential discussions with Tajani and Meloni.

The Vatican has not confirmed Rubio’s schedule, and the U.S. Embassy in Rome declined to comment. Trump’s feud with Leo began in March after the pope condemned U.S. airstrikes on Iran, escalating into a direct confrontation in April when Trump called Leo “weak on crime” on social media. Leo’s subsequent speeches condemning authoritarianism were widely seen as targeting Trump, though he denied it.

Meloni, who previously distanced herself from Trump over the Iran war, defended the pope, prompting Trump to call her “shocking” and “brave but wrong.” Despite the spat, Meloni stated Italy’s U.S. ties remain “solid.” The visit underscores fragile transatlantic diplomacy, with the Vatican caught between U.S. political rhetoric and Italian leadership. Pope Leo XIV’s role as a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and Meloni’s alignment with Vatican stances highlight the complex interplay of faith, politics, and international relations. The situation reflects broader challenges in balancing religious influence with geopolitical strategy.