{"id":2599936,"date":"2026-05-07T12:58:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubio-affirms-enduring-partnership-with-holy-see-as-he-meets-with-pope-leo-xiv\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T13:00:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T17:00:24","slug":"rubio-affirms-enduring-partnership-with-holy-see-as-he-meets-with-pope-leo-xiv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubio-affirms-enduring-partnership-with-holy-see-as-he-meets-with-pope-leo-xiv\/","title":{"rendered":"Rubio affirms &#8216;enduring partnership&#8217; with Holy See as he meets with Pope Leo XIV"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frubio-affirms-enduring-partnership-with-holy-see-as-he-meets-with-pope-leo-xiv%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599936&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican for about 2\u00bd hours,and both sides emphasized the long-running U.S.-Holy See relationship and shared commitment to peace and human dignity. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said thay discussed issues including the Middle East and matters of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere, with likely attention to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-faces-mounting-pressure-to-act-in-ethiopian-conflict\/\" title=\"Biden Administration Faces Mounting Pressure to Act in Ethiopian Conflict\">humanitarian aid<\/a> for cuba-humanitarian funds Rubio said were distributed through the church.<\/p>\n<p>the meeting also unfolded amid wider controversy involving president Donald Trump, who has criticized the pope for opposing U.S. operations against Iran and urged American Catholics to pressure elected officials. Leo rejected Trump\u2019s portrayal,saying the Church speaks against nuclear weapons with truth and calling for listeners to consider God\u2019s word. Rubio additionally met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who said Trump\u2019s attacks on the pope seemed \u201cstrange.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>During the visit,Rubio joked about gifting leo a small crystal football and said the pope is a \u201cbaseball guy,\u201d while Leo gave Rubio a pen made of olive wood symbolizing peace and an art book from Vatican collections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\">Marco Rubio<\/a> \u201cunderscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See\u201d and the \u201cenduring partnership\u201d between them during his meeting with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pope-leo-xiv\/\">Pope Leo XIV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The pontiff hosted Rubio for 2 1\/2 hours Thursday in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vatican\/\">Vatican City<\/a>, where the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >pair reportedly discussed issues ranging<\/a> from global politics to religious freedom concerns.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4557997\/israel-hezbollah-beirut-strike-lebanon\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Israel targets Hezbollah commander in first strike on Beirut since Lebanon ceasefire<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4557993\/rubio-rome-trip-trump-feud-pope-leo\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rubio heads to Rome amid Trump\u2019s unpopular feud with Pope Leo<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4557141\/friedrich-merz-german-chancellor-unpopular-polling\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Merz ends first year as most unpopular German chancellor in post-war history<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the two statesmen specifically discussed \u201cthe situation in the Middle East and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/josh-duggar-pleads-not-guilty-to-child-porn-charges-former-19-kids-and-counting-star-to-remain-in-custody-until-may-5-hearing\/\" title=\"Josh Duggar pleads not guilty to child porn charges, former \u201919 Kids and Counting\u2019 star to remain in custody until May 5 hearing\">handout photo provided<\/a> by Vatican Media, Pope Leo XIV exchanges gifts with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, as they meet in the pope\u2019s private library at the Vatican on Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Vatican Media via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,\u201d Pigott added.<\/p>\n<p>The pontiff has opposed U.S. operations against Iran and gone so far as instructing American Catholics to urge their elected officials to take action.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump, frustrated by the countersignaling from Rome, has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4525981\/trump-criticizes-pope-leo-weak-on-crime-terrible-on-foreign-policy\/\">called the pope<\/a> \u201cweak on crime\u201d and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4557258\/trump-deadline-iran-war-peace-deal\/\">accused him<\/a> of \u201cendangering a lot of Catholics\u201d by not caring whether Iran acquires a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n<p>Leo took issue with that characterization, telling reporters outside Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday that \u201cshould anyone want to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, they should do so with the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor years, the church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there\u2019s no doubt about it, there,\u201d he explained. \u201cSo, I simply hope to be listened to for the value of God\u2019s word.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The beef has not worked in the president\u2019s favor. <\/p>\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ipsos.com\/sites\/default\/files\/ct\/news\/documents\/2026-05\/ABC%20News-Washington%20Post-Ipsos%20April%20Poll%20Topline%205.6%20release.pdf\"><em>Washington Post<\/em>-ABC News-Ipsos poll<\/a> released Wednesday found that 66% of Americans supported the pope\u2019s call for citizens to contact lawmakers and press for peace, compared to 30% who disapproved. The same poll found 57% of Americans felt negatively about Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for Donald Trump\">social media post<\/a> that he does not \u201cwant a Pope who thinks it\u2019s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rubio also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See secretary of state, who previously expressed bafflement at Trump\u2019s rhetoric against the pope.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo attack him in this way or to reproach what he does seems a bit strange to me,\u201d Parolin said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201ctopics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere\u201d discussed on Thursday almost certainly included humanitarian aid to Cuba. Rubio mentioned the island nation during a White House briefing earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know, we gave Cuba $6 million in humanitarian aid, but obviously, they won\u2019t let us distribute it,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe distributed it through the church. We\u2019d love to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves the St. Damasus courtyard after meeting with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin in the Vatican, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Andrew Medichini, Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>During a gift exchange, Rubio offered the pope a small crystal football with the State Department seal engraved on it, even though he acknowledged the pontiff is a \u201cbaseball guy.\u201d It is a gift Rubio has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/share.america.gov\/diplomacy-calls-for-well-chosen-gift\/\">given to other world leaders <\/a>in the past.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat to get someone who has everything?\u201d Rubio joked to Leo as he presented it.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4534825\/vance-pope-leo-trump-feud\/\">VANCE \u2018GRATEFUL\u2019 TO POPE LEO FOR CLEARING UP FEUD WITH TRUMP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Leo, meanwhile, gifted Rubio a pen made of olive wood and emblazoned with the pontiff\u2019s coat of arms. He pointed out that the olive tree is regarded as the \u201cplant of peace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The pope also gifted Rubio \u201cwhat we in Chicago call a coffee table book\u201d of artwork housed in the Vatican churches and museums. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rubio met Pope Leo XIV, stressing the enduring U.S.-Holy See partnership and discussing global politics and religious freedom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2599937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26127414126102_82b05a.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3817,51342,34360,9592,9367],"class_list":["post-2599936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-diplomacy","tag-holy-see","tag-marco-rubio","tag-pope","tag-vatican"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26127414126102_82b05a.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599936"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599936\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599940,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599936\/revisions\/2599940"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}