U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, aiming to de-escalate weeks of tension between the Pope and President Trump. The meeting, which lasted over two hours, focused on the Middle East situation and other areas of mutual interest, underscoring the strong U.S.-Holy See relationship and shared commitment to peace. Rubio also held separate discussions with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin regarding international cooperation and achieving peace in the Middle East. These diplomatic engagements followed President Trump's public criticisms of Pope Leo XIV, particularly concerning his remarks on war and the president's deportation policies, though Trump's rhetoric had reportedly softened somewhat prior to Rubio's visit.