Trump and Pope Are Sparring Again Ahead of Visit by Rubio
Pope Leo XIV in Rome, on May 2.
Photographer: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
The clash between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV has flared up again, complicating a delicate diplomatic mission by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Vatican this week.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Rubio, who is due to arrive in Italy. He and Vice President JD Vance are both Catholics and potential Republican candidates for the 2028 presidential election. Trump’s public fight with the pontiff risks alienating a key demographic.