Pope Leo XIV’s talks with Rubio signal Vatican-U.S. tensions easing. Robert McElroy is the American Catholic cardinal guiding the moral foreign policy debate.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, Pope Leo expressed dismay over ongoing violence in the Middle East, urging for peace and diplomacy. He highlighted concerns over civilian casualties, including children, and the situation in Lebanon, calling for an end to hostilities.
Pope Leo XIV has publicly called for reflection among Christians involved in conflicts, amid ongoing tensions in Iran and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Bishop Emanuel Shaleta resigned after being charged with embezzlement and financial crimes, with allegations including visits to a Tijuana red-light district. The Vatican is investigating both cases.
The Vatican has hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome for talks with Pope Leo XIV and senior officials, as tensions with Washington persist after Trump’s criticism of the pontiff. The discussions cover topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere and broader world issues, with potential efforts to thaw relations between the US, the Vatican, and Italy.