Vatican: Meeting between Pope Leo XIV and US Secretary of State Rubio was cordial

The Vatican Press Office issued a statement regarding the meeting held between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the spiritual leader of Catholics, Pope Leo XIV.

The statement released by the press office noted that during the talks, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the parties reiterated their shared commitment to developing the good bilateral relations between the Vatican and the US. The statement further indicated that there was an exchange of views on current regional and global developments, particularly regarding regions experiencing war, political tensions, and humanitarian crises.

It was noted that the meeting also addressed the situation in Iran and Lebanon, where political and military tensions persist, as well as in various countries on the African continent. The statement also reported that topics concerning Cuba, which has recently experienced tensions in its relations with the US, were discussed.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, marked the first contact between the leader of the Catholic Church and an official from US President Donald Trump's cabinet in approximately one year. The two spoke for about half an hour.

Trump had reacted to the Pope

This development comes following recent tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Leo, the first American pope, had drawn Trump's reaction due to his criticisms of the US-Israel war against Iran and the Trump administration's harsh immigration policies.

In a statement yesterday, when asked if he had a message for Pope Leo XIV, Trump replied, "He was saying, I think, that Iran could have a nuclear weapon. But I say they cannot.

Because if they do, the whole world is held hostage. We will not allow that to happen. That is my only message." The US President had also stated in April, "He doesn't understand what's happening in Iran, he shouldn't be talking about war."

News Source: İHA