Trending Now - Rubio's Italy Trip Follows Trump Tensions With Meloni, Vatican

WHO:

politico.eu - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Italy.

politico.eu - President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

politico.eu - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto are expected to meet with Rubio.

politico.eu - Vatican’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is expected to meet with Rubio.

WHAT:

politico.eu - Rubio's trip is characterized as an effort to “thaw relations” after Trump’s criticisms.

Fox News - Rubio is reportedly traveling to the Vatican and Italy for meetings aimed at steadying relations.

WHERE:

politico.eu - Rubio's trip will take place in Rome and the Vatican.

WHEN:

politico.eu - Rubio's trip is scheduled for May 7-8.

WHY:

politico.eu - The trip follows Trump’s criticism of the pope for his anti-war stance and criticism of Meloni for defending the pontiff.

HOW:

politico.eu - Rubio is expected to engage in meetings with key Italian and Vatican officials to address strained relations.

(UPDATED May 3, 2026 17:11 UTC)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Italy and the Vatican on May 7-8 to engage in meetings with key officials, including Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. This trip comes in the wake of President Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as Rubio aims to “thaw relations” between the U.S. and Italy. During his visit, Rubio is expected to address the tensions stemming from Trump's remarks regarding the pope's anti-war stance and Meloni's defense of him.