Pope Leo Calls for Global De-escalation on First Anniversary, Following Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio

Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope and former Cardinal Robert Prevost who spent decades as a missionary in Peru, marked his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2026 with visits to Pompei and Naples, Italy, calling on world leaders to reduce global tensions and turn away from violence. The anniversary appeal came one day after Pope Leo met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican in an atmosphere of unprecedented tension, with both parties pledging to improve bilateral relations after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly disparaged the pope on social media for criticizing the Iran war. Pope Leo, who kept a low profile for his first 10 months, has recently spoken forcefully against war and the arms trade, urging people not to become accustomed to images of death and praising Naples groups welcoming Gazan refugees.

Pope Leo's First Anniversary and Call for Global De-escalation

• ▪Pope Leo asked worshippers on Friday to pray that global governments would turn away from violence.
• ▪Pope Leo venerated the reliquary containing ampoules of what local Roman Catholics believe is the blood of St. Gennaro at the Naples Cathedral on May 8, 2026.
• ▪Pope Leo asked worshippers to pray that God would begin touching hearts, calming rancour and fratricidal hatreds, and enlightening those who have special responsibilities of government.
• ▪Pope Leo visited Naples, Italy on May 8, 2026.
• ▪Pope Leo visited Pompei, Italy on May 8, 2026 to mark his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church.
• ▪Cardinal Robert Prevost spent decades as a missionary and a bishop in Peru before becoming pope.
• ▪Pope Leo was elected by the world's cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.

Tensions Between Pope Leo and the Trump Administration

• ▪Pope Leo met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday at the Vatican.
• ▪The Vatican said that Pope Leo and Marco Rubio pledged to improve their bilateral relations.
• ▪Pope Leo held talks with Marco Rubio on Thursday in an atmosphere of tension with Washington.
• ▪Pope Leo has drawn the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after criticizing the Iran war.
• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly disparaged Pope Leo on social media.
• ▪The U.S. embassy to the Holy See said that Pope Leo and Marco Rubio discussed topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere.

Pope Leo's Anti-War Stance and Advocacy for Peace

• ▪Pope Leo kept a relatively low profile in his first 10 months but has been speaking forcefully against war and despotism in recent weeks.

Perspective of U.S. President Donald Trump

• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is engaged in a war with Iran that Pope Leo XIV has criticized.

Perspective of Vatican insiders

• ▪Vatican insiders considered the public pledge by Pope Leo XIV and Marco Rubio to improve bilateral relations as an unusual diplomatic statement.

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