The meetings in Rome come amid strains between the United States and several European allies following criticism by Donald Trump over Europe’s reluctance to support the U.S. military campaign against Iran and disagreements over tariffs and defense commitments.

Rubio was also scheduled to hold talks with Antonio Tajani as part of a broader diplomatic effort to ease trans-Atlantic friction.

Italy has publicly opposed the war with Iran, with Meloni describing the conflict as “illegal” and criticizing Trump’s remarks directed at Pope Leo XIV. Trump in turn accused Meloni of failing to support Washington adequately during the conflict.

The dispute has complicated what had previously been viewed as one of Trump’s strongest relationships with a European leader.

Washington has also increased pressure on European allies over military burden-sharing and support for operations in the Middle East. The United States recently announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, while Trump has threatened additional reductions of American military deployments in Italy and Spain.

Italy hosts several strategically important U.S. and NATO facilities supporting operations across the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. Italian officials have expressed concern that troop reductions could weaken NATO’s southern flank.

Defense cooperation between Rome and Washington came under strain in March when Italy declined to authorize the use of the Sigonella air base in Sicily for U.S. bombing missions linked to the Iran conflict without parliamentary approval.

Under Italy’s constitution and existing treaty arrangements, military bases used within a NATO framework generally require additional authorization for offensive combat operations.

Meloni and Tajani have repeatedly stated that Italy will not participate directly in the Iran war and have insisted any request involving offensive use of Italian bases must receive parliamentary consent, where opposition to the conflict remains strong.

The war has also raised economic concerns for Italy, which depends heavily on energy imports and exports. Meloni has warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz risks increasing energy prices and harming household purchasing power, while uncertainty surrounding possible U.S. tariffs has unsettled Italy’s export-oriented industries.

Rubio’s visit began on Thursday with meetings at the Vatican, including talks with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin.According to the U.S. Department of State⁠, discussions focused on efforts to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East and reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Washington and the Holy See.

Rubio, a Catholic and the highest-ranking U.S. official to meet the first American pope since his election in May 2025, held a private audience with Leo at the Vatican before separate discussions with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

“The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said after the talks.According to the State Department, discussions focused on the Middle East conflict, the Iran war and issues concerning Latin America, referred to by Washington as the Western Hemisphere.

A U.S. official also confirmed that the Catholic Church’s role in Cuba was raised during the meetings.The Holy See has historically maintained diplomatic engagement with Cuba, while Rubio, a Cuban-American, has been closely associated with U.S. efforts aimed at political change in the communist-run island nation.

Rubio also discussed religious freedom and broader geopolitical issues with Parolin, Pigott said.

The visit followed an unusually public rift between Trump and Pope Leo, who has repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East and criticized threats of military escalation against Iran.Trump recently accused the pope of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” and alleged this week that Leo’s positions risked “endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people.”

Leo rejected the criticism during remarks to reporters on Tuesday, saying the Catholic Church’s role was to “preach peace” and reiterating the Vatican’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons.“If anyone wishes to criticize me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” the pope said.

Cardinal Parolin earlier suggested the meeting would involve candid exchanges, noting that Washington had requested the talks. “The pope is being the pope,” Parolin said on Wednesday when asked about Trump’s criticism.Despite the tensions, Vatican protocol signaled a warm reception for Rubio. His convoy entered through the Arch of Bells, an honor generally reserved for heads of state, and he was formally welcomed by the Swiss Guard.

Rubio told reporters before departing for Rome that the trip had been arranged prior to the recent dispute and described the Vatican as an important diplomatic partner. “There’s a lot to talk about with the Vatican,” he said.

The Trump administration had initially welcomed Leo’s election as the first U.S.-born pope, but relations have since deteriorated over disagreements on immigration, Middle East policy and nuclear rhetoric involving Iran.