politics
Rubio Meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican
President Trump said he instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to tell Pope Leo that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Rubio met the pope at the Vatican after weeks of tension between Pope Leo and Trump. Rubio presented the pontiff with a small crystal football following their discussion of the Middle East.
May 8, 12:01 AM·1m read4 sources
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. During the meeting Rubio presented the pope with a small crystal football as a gift.
President Trump said during an appearance at the National Mall on Thursday that he had instructed Rubio to tell the pope that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. Trump said he asked Rubio to convey the message "very nicely" while emphasizing the nuclear prohibition. Trump also directed Rubio to tell the pope that Iran killed "42,000 innocent protestors," according to the president's own account.
The meeting followed weeks of tension between Pope Leo and President Trump. No further details on the pope's response were disclosed. The encounter occurred as the administration continued its focus on Iran policy. Rubio carried out the meeting in Rome amid the broader diplomatic calendar.
Late-night television recaps described Rubio’s visit to Pope Leo as a peacemaking effort.
