U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Rome and the Vatican this week, with his schedule including a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. local time in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, according to the Holy See and reports from multiple outlets. The trip comes after a period of strained relations between Washington and the Vatican following public attacks by U.S. President Donald Trump on the pope. Several reports link the friction to Pope Leo’s criticism of the U.S.-backed war in Iran.

U.S. officials and observers describe Rubio’s visit as an effort to reduce tensions and repair ties with both the Vatican and Italy. The U.S. ambassador to the Holy See is quoted describing the meeting as potentially “frank,” framed around dialogue between parties despite disagreements. Channel NewsAsia reports the State Department says Rubio will discuss the situation in the Middle East during his Vatican meeting.

Additional reporting indicates Rubio’s Rome stop also involves meetings with Italy’s government figures, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as the broader diplomatic engagement aims to reset aspects of U.S.-Italian and U.S.-Vatican relations.