U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday, urging European allies to take concrete action against Iran and support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while expressing frustration that allies are not backing Washington's confrontational approach.
Pope Leo marked his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church by calling on world leaders to calm global tensions and reduce hatred, one day after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican.
The U.S. military carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities on Thursday in response to what it described as unprovoked attacks by Iran involving missiles, drones, and small boats against U.S. warships and forces. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the strikes as defensive actions while indicating the U.S. expects a response from Iran regarding a cease-fire proposal.
President Trump has publicly criticized Pope Leo over the pontiff's stance on Iran, accusing him of endangering Catholics, while the Pope denied Trump's claim that he supports nuclear weapons. The dispute comes ahead of Secretary of State Rubio's trip to Rome and marks what Vatican officials describe as an unprecedented low in U.S.-Vatican relations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Vatican for talks with Pope Leo XIV in what observers view as an effort to repair strained relations between the White House and the Holy See. The Vatican emphasized the need to work for peace during the meeting, which follows weeks of tension including a reported clash over Iran policy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared from the White House briefing room that U.S. military operations in Iran known as 'Operation Epic Fury' have concluded, while announcing a transition to 'Project Freedom' and emphasizing the need to address Iranian nuclear material.
