Rubio Plans Italy Visit After Trump’s Clashes With Meloni, Pope

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome later this week, according to people familiar with the matter, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump clashed over the Iran war and her defense of Pope Leo XIV.

Rubio’s staff sent details of his visit to Italian counterparts last week, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss advance planning. Rubio plans to meet with Vatican officials, as well as Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, they added. A meeting with Meloni is also possible, they added.