Vatican Sources: Rubio Expected to Meet Pope in Italy on May 7th

(Vatican City, Central News Agency combined foreign report, 3rd) Senior Vatican sources today revealed that US Secretary of State Rubio is expected to travel to Italy on May 7th to meet with Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV. US President Trump has recently frequently criticized the Pope, drawing criticism from various circles.

Reuters reported that, according to this senior source familiar with the Pope's schedule, this will be the first known face-to-face contact between a US cabinet official and the Pope in nearly a year.

Rubio last visited Leo XIV in May 2025, when he and Vice President JD Vance attended the inauguration Mass of the new Pope in St. Peter's Square, and had a private meeting with the Pope the following day.

Leo XIV has adopted a strong rhetorical style in recent weeks, including publicly criticizing the US and Israel-led war in Iran and expressing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's tough immigration policies.

American Cardinal Robert Prevost will officially complete his first year as Pope on May 8th.

Italy's La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera earlier disclosed that Rubio would visit Italy soon and meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomat and Secretary of State, but did not mention whether he would meet the Pope.

The US State Department, the Vatican News Office, and the Italian government spokesperson have not yet responded to Reuters' requests for comment on the aforementioned reports. (Translated by Hung Chi-yuan) 1150503

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