Rubio meeting with pope will include ‘frank conversation’ about policies, ambassador says

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday will include a “frank conversation” about disagreements between the Vatican and the Trump administration, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See said Tuesday. 

Brian Burch, who took up his post in September, said “fraternity and authentic dialogue” will guide the talks, addressing tensions between the U.S. and Vatican over the pope’s stated opposition to the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran and retaliation from President Trump. 

“Nations have disagreements, and I think one of the ways that you work through those is … through fraternity and authentic dialogue,” Burch told journalists, as reported by Reuters. 

“I think the secretary is coming here in that spirit, to have a frank conversation about U.S. policy, to engage in dialogue,” he added.

Trump has taken exception with the pope’s public opposition to the president’s threats that he would destroy Iran’s civilization,........

© The Hill