Rubio to meet Pope Leo in Rome after Trump row over anti-war remarks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Italy this week for meetings in Rome, including a planned audience with Pope Leo, according to Vatican and Italian sources.
The meeting is understood to take place on Thursday.
Reports said the visit is intended to help ease tensions after weeks of strain linked to criticism from US President Donald Trump of the pope's anti-war rhetoric.
Rubio is also expected to meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
An Italian government source said he had asked for a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and media reports said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto may also be on the schedule.
The trip comes as relations between Washington and the Vatican have been tested by the dispute over the war in the Middle East.
It also reflects wider transatlantic tensions that have grown around the conflict.
The Vatican source said the visit was seen as an attempt to patch up ties with both the Vatican and Italy.
That makes the Rome stop politically significant even though it is framed as a diplomatic visit rather than a crisis mission.
Trump's criticism of Pope Leo followed the pontiff's anti-war comments, which have drawn attention in recent weeks.
The planned meeting suggests efforts are under way to contain the fallout.
Italy is likely to be a key part of the discussions because of the expected meetings with senior government figures.
