Rubio holds ‘constructive’ meeting with Pope Leo after Trump sends hard-line Iran message to Vatican Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo at the Vatican for “constructive” conversations, reaffirming the U.S.-Vatican partnership following tensions over the U.S.-Iran conflict. Rubio delivered a message from President Trump stating Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, while the pope has previously criticized aggressive rhetoric targeting Iran’s population. Both sides expressed a renewed commitment to bilateral relations and working towards peace in conflict-stricken regions.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo at the Vatican for “friendly and constructive” conversations.
• The meeting aimed to reaffirm the Vatican-U.S. partnership after heightened tensions between President Trump and the pontiff over the U.S.-Iran conflict.
• Rubio conveyed President Trump’s message that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon.
• Discussions included the situation in the Middle East, topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere, and a shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity.
• The pope has previously criticized rhetoric targeting Iran’s population, calling it “unacceptable” and a “moral issue.”
• Rubio also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Holy See, to discuss shared priorities regarding Iran and advancing religious freedom.