Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV is set to receive Marco Rubio at the Apostolic Palace on Thursday, May 7, marking an important moment of diplomatic engagement between the Holy See and the United States.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the meeting will take place at 11:30 in the morning, with Rubio expected to arrive shortly before the scheduled time. The confirmation came after earlier media reports suggested that such a meeting was being planned.
This will not be the first interaction between Pope and the US Secretary of State. The two had previously met on May 18, 2025, during the Mass that marked the official beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s Petrine ministry. That event drew global attention as leaders and representatives from different parts of the world gathered to witness the start of the new pontificate.
During that same occasion, US Vice President JD Vance also greeted Pope. The following day, on May 19, a more formal bilateral meeting took place involving Pope Leo XIV, Vance, and Rubio. Those early encounters helped establish the tone for relations between the Vatican and the current US administration.
The upcoming meeting is expected to continue discussions on issues of mutual concern. While specific topics have not been officially announced, such meetings often include dialogue on global peace efforts, humanitarian challenges, religious freedom, and cooperation on international issues where both the Holy See and the United States have shared interests.
Pope’s schedule on May 7 will also include another significant diplomatic audience earlier in the day. At 9:00 in the morning, he will meet Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland. This meeting reflects the Vatican’s ongoing engagement with European leaders and its interest in strengthening ties with countries that have deep historical and cultural connections to the Catholic Church.
Holding both meetings on the same day highlights the Vatican’s active diplomatic role on the global stage. The Holy See continues to serve as a unique moral and spiritual voice in international relations, often bringing attention to issues that go beyond politics, such as human dignity, social justice, and the need for dialogue in times of conflict.
Pope Leo XIV, who is originally from Chicago, brings a distinct perspective to his role, combining his American background with his responsibilities as the leader of the global Catholic Church. His meetings with political leaders are closely watched as they can shape not only diplomatic relations but also broader conversations on ethics and global responsibility.
As preparations continue for Thursday’s engagements, attention remains focused on the outcomes of these discussions and the signals they may send about future cooperation between the Vatican and key global partners.