• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit the Vatican for a ‘frank’ conversation with Pope Leo XIV, according to U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch.
  • The visit follows President Trump’s criticism of the pope for opposing the U.S. war in Iran, accusing him of endorsing Iranian nuclear weapons.
  • Pope Leo XIV has never said Iran should have nuclear weapons but has opposed the war aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear program.
  • Rubio and Vice President Vance, both Catholics, met the pope a year ago at his inaugural mass.
  • Ambassador Burch denies a ‘deep rift’ and hopes for better understanding between the U.S. and the Vatican.
  • Rubio will also meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday.
  • Pope Leo XIV has recently emerged as a vocal critic of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Trump’s immigration policies.

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