Rubio to Meet Pope Leo XIV in Vatican as Vance Excluded
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 7 May, in a one-on-one meeting that notably excludes Vice President JD Vance.
According to Vatican sources, Rubio will also hold talks with Pietro Parolin. The meeting comes nearly a year after Rubio and Vance jointly attended the pope’s inaugural Mass in 2025 and were received together in a private audience.
Diplomatic signal in Vance’s absence
Vance’s absence from this year’s meeting has drawn attention in Washington, with no official explanation provided. The development follows recent tensions between the vice president and the Vatican after he publicly criticised the pope’s comments on U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding military action involving Iran.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops responded at the time by defending the pope’s authority to speak on moral and theological issues.
Rubio’s rising profile
Rubio’s visit reflects his growing diplomatic role within the administration of Donald Trump. The trip is also seen as an effort to repair strained relations between Washington and the Vatican following recent disagreements over international policy.
Political backdrop
The meeting comes amid early positioning for the 2028 US presidential race, where both Rubio and Vance have been mentioned as potential successors to Trump. Rubio’s increasing international engagement and visibility contrast with Vance’s more contentious relationship with the Vatican.
While officially framed as a diplomatic visit, Rubio’s audience with Pope Leo XIV is being closely watched as a signal of shifting dynamics both within US politics and in relations with the Holy See.
