The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will travel this week to Rome and the Vatican with the objective of holding high-level meetings with Pope Leo XI V, amid increasing diplomatic tensions arising from the war in Iran and recent political disagreements between the White House and the Holy See.

In accordance with the State Department, Rubio, who professes the Catholic faith, will meet with the Vatican leadership to discuss the situation. n in the Middle East, particularly the conflict with Iran, as well as issues of common interest in the Western hemisphere, including Latin America.

The trip, scheduled between Wednesday and Thursday, will also include meetings with Italian government officials to address security issues. rity and strategic coordination. Among them stands out the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, considered a key ally of Washington in Europe.

Attempt to reduce diplomatic tensions

The pope, the first of American origin, has insisted on the need to promote peace and has questioned the military escalation in the Middle East. In response Ta to the signals, underlined that faith cannot support war, which was interpreted as an indirect criticism to Washington's foreign policy.

Tensions increased after Trump posted an image on social media in which he compared himself to Jesus Christ, which generated such reactions. to in political and religious circles. Although later downplayed the importance of the incident, the episode contributed to deteriorating the diplomatic climate.

Latin America and Cuba, on the agenda

In addition to the conflict in Iran, Rubio plans to discuss with the Vatican the situation in Latin America, where the Holy See maintains influence diplom Attic, especially on issues related to Cuba. The Vatican has historically played a mediator role between Washington and Havana.

US officials consider that this channel could be key at a time when both countries are holding talks about possible adjustments in economic policy towards the island, amid energy restrictions imposed by the current administration.

In parallel, Rubio will hold meetings with senior Italian officials, including the foreign and defense ministers, to reinforce bilateral cooperation and send a a sign of stability in the face of recent frictions. Italy is a strategic partner within NATO, alliance that has also been the subject of criticism by Trump.

Analysts in Washington see the tour as a “damage control” effort to repair relations with traditional allies and contain the impact of presidential rhetoric on the international scenario. Rubio, who has assumed a key role in U.S. diplomacy, has been in charge on various occasions of qualifying or explaining the president's stances.

The result of these meetings could set the course of relations between the United States, the Vatican and their European partners in a global context marked by conflicts and growing diplomatic challenges.