US Secretary of State to visit Italy and Vatican amid rising tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit the Vatican and Italy next week, Corriere della Sera reports, citing diplomatic sources.

The trip is expected to take place on May 7-8. Rubio will first travel to the Vatican, where he is expected to meet with the Holy See’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. He will then head to Rome for talks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.

Rubio has also requested a personal meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The possibility of such a meeting has not been ruled out, but no official confirmation has been given.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Rome following criticism from US President Donald Trump directed at the Holy See and the Italian government.

By Jeyhun Aghazada