Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi at the Vatican today ahead of the inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Rubio expressed heartfelt congratulations to the Holy See on behalf of the United States, reaffirming the strong partnership between the two entities. The Secretary also discussed their shared commitment to ending conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with a firm stance on supporting freedom of religion. Rubio looks forward to working with the Holy See to protect these rights globally.
A key point of discussion was the urgent need to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The Secretary expressed appreciation for the Vatican's humanitarian role, including facilitating prisoner exchanges and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. Rubio emphasized the importance of continued collaboration under the new leadership of Pope Leo XIV.
The meetings come as the United States and Holy See navigate a period of transition with the inauguration of a new Pope. Despite this change, both parties remain committed to strengthening their partnership on key issues.