Trump's Criticism of Pope Stirs Controversy, Rubio to Visit Vatican and Italy

(Central News Agency, Rome, May 3rd, comprehensive foreign report) According to reports from Italy's "La Repubblica" and "Corriere della Sera," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit the Vatican and Italy for talks. Weeks prior, former US President Donald Trump had criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media, drawing criticism from Christians across all political stances.

Italy's "La Repubblica" and "Corriere della Sera" did not state whether Rubio (Marco Rubio), who is himself a Catholic, would personally meet with Leo XIV (Pope Leo XIV).

However, both media outlets indicated that Rubio is expected to meet with the Vatican's chief diplomat, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Rubio last met Leo XIV in May 2025, when he attended the new Pope's inauguration mass with Vice President JD Vance in St. Peter's Square, followed by a private meeting with the Pope the next day.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, maintained a relatively low profile on the international stage during his first few months in office, but in recent weeks, he has begun to openly criticize the US and Israel-led war against Iran and has harshly condemned the Trump administration's tough anti-immigration policies.

Trump had repeatedly criticized Leo XIV on social media in April, once calling him soft on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy. (Translated by Chen Cheng-Chien) 1150503