U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Pope Leo at the Vatican for a significant 2.5-hour meeting amid escalating tensions between the pontiff and President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized the pope for his stance on the Iran war and immigration. The Vatican's video coverage showed a cordial greeting, with Rubio expressing pleasure at meeting the pope. Discussions reportedly focused on topics of mutual interest, including Cuba and global religious freedom. The U.S. State Department emphasized the strong relationship between the Vatican and the U.S. government. During the meeting, Rubio gifted Pope Leo a crystal football, acknowledging his Chicago roots, while the pope presented Rubio with a pen crafted from olive wood, symbolizing peace. The meeting was notable as it was the first between a Trump administration official and the pope in nearly a year, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst public disagreements. After the meeting, Pope Leo reiterated his commitment to peace and criticized nuclear weapons, countering Trump's claims about his stance on Iran.