Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Apostolic Palace on May 7, 2026, discussing countries marked by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, and the need to work tirelessly for peace.
The meeting, requested by the American side, lasted 45 minutes – longer than the half-hour typically granted for such visits. Both sides described the exchange as constructive. The Vatican statement noted an “exchange of views on the regional and international situation, with particular attention to countries marked by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, as well as on the necessity of working tirelessly in favour of peace”. The US State Department spoke of discussions on the Middle East, issues of common interest in the Western Hemisphere, and a shared commitment to “promoting peace and the dignity of the human person”.
