Issued on: 03/05/2026 - 17:26Modified: 03/05/2026 - 17:26

Marco Rubio will travel to Rome this week for a visit reportedly aimed at easing strained relations with the Italyn government and the Holy See. Both Giorgia Meloni and Pope Leo XIV have faced criticism from Donald Trump, who has publicly attacked the pontiff’s anti-war remarks. Marco Rubio is due to be in the Italian capital during the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, the first US-born leader of the Catholic Church. France 24 correspondent Seema Gupta reports the latest from Rome.

Keywords for this article

'Italian opposition fragmented: No alternative leader, no other possible leader than Giorgia Meloni'

Strength of Meloni less linked to policy, more about her party's dominance within govt coalition

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Spain - Italy: Dispute grows over migration between EU countries

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Across the EU, immigration being used as a 'political tool' across the political spectrum

Venice Biennale jury resigns against participation of Russia and Israel

Trump-Meloni relationship turns sour

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