Rubio’s Planned Visit to the Vatican and Italy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week. The aim is to smooth over tensions that have arisen from recent disagreements involving President Donald Trump, Pope Leo, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

According to reports from an Italian newspaper, Rubio, who is a Catholic, will have a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomat. He is also expected to meet with Italy’s ministers of foreign affairs and defense.

The backdrop for this visit includes a complicated moment in U.S.-European relations. The Pentagon announced a plan to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany, which hosts the largest U.S. military base in Europe. This decision comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and various European nations, particularly concerning issues related to Iran and trade tariffs.

President Trump mentioned the idea of potentially reducing the U.S. military presence in NATO, specifically in Italy, expressing frustration over perceived lack of support from allies. He noted, “Italy has been no help to us and Spain has been terrible,” during a conversation in the Oval Office.

Trump acknowledged Rubio’s diplomatic efforts, highlighting his capability as a peacebuilder. During his State of the Union address earlier this year, Trump remarked, “People like you,” in reference to Rubio, even humorously suggesting he might consider letting him go due to his popularity on the global stage. Trump praised him as “the greatest Secretary of State ever.”

Italy hosts about 13,000 active-duty U.S. troops across six bases, making it a significant location for U.S. military presence in Europe. It remains uncertain if Rubio will have an audience with the Pope, who has openly criticized the Trump administration’s approach to Middle Eastern peace.

Rubio, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, attended the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo in St. Peter’s Square and had an informal conversation with the Pope shortly after in May 2025.

This visit is occurring shortly after President Trump’s negative remarks about Pope Leo, in which he called the Pope “terrible,” which sparked backlash from various Christian communities. The Pope had previously stated his lack of fear regarding the Trump administration but later seemed to temper his remarks, saying he would not engage in the debate.

Trump has critiqued the Pope’s position on the Iran conflict and immigration policies, claiming that the Pope is ineffective in terms of crime and suggesting he is too politically focused rather than serving his role as a spiritual leader. In one strongly worded post, Trump encouraged the Pope to prioritize his responsibilities as a religious figure over political inclinations.

As this situation develops, Fox News has sought comments from the White House, the State Department, and other relevant parties.

The trip intended to ease the strain between the U.S. and Italy follows Trump’s public disapproval of Meloni, despite her being one of his significant allies in Europe, especially regarding the complex matters of the Iran war and her backing for the Pope.

Details about Rubio’s schedule are still being finalized, and a meeting with Meloni remains a possibility.