U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, a visit marked by an awkward gift exchange amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. government and the Holy See. During the meeting, Pope Leo presented an olive branch, symbolizing peace, while Rubio offered a crystal football, which was received with some discomfort. The Vatican confirmed that the meeting aimed to address the fallout from a prolonged disagreement regarding the Iran conflict. Pope Leo has consistently condemned the war, criticizing its origins and expressing disapproval of President Donald Trump's threats. In contrast, Trump has publicly derided the Pope's foreign policy views. A recent YouGov survey indicated that 48% of Americans align more with the Pope's views on the Iran war, compared to only 28% who support Trump's stance, highlighting a significant divide in public opinion.