Rubio meets Meloni as Trump–Pope clash clash escalates US strains with key European ally

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni amid diplomatic tensions between the US and Italy, as well as the Vatican, following escalating rhetoric between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV. The meeting aims to calm relations strained by disputes over the Iran war. Trump's relationship with Meloni has frayed due to these disputes.