The American side says Thursday's talks at the Vatican were "friendly and constructive." Rubio and Pope Leo talked, among other things, about efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, the Secretary of State's spokesman Tommy Pigott told the AP.
The meeting demonstrates the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and the shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity, he said.
Pope Leo XIV has said he does not want to debate Donald Trump. But he has made several statements that have been interpreted as critical of the American president.
Call for peace
Among other things, the Pope, who is also American, has called for peace and spoken of "tyrants" who are destroying the world.
Enough with the worship of self and money! Enough with demonstrations of power! Enough with war! the Pope said in mid-April.
Trump has written on social media that he does not want a pope who "thinks it's okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon."
More meetings
Thursday's meeting was held during Marco Rubio's - as far as is known - third visit to Italy or the Vatican as Secretary of State. Rubio also has other challenging meetings on his agenda - with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, both of whom have been vocal defenders of the pope.
Trump claimed as recently as earlier this week in an interview that the Pope is helping Iran and making the world less safe, AP reports.
The Pope has never said that Iran should acquire nuclear weapons, and has stressed that the Catholic Church has always been critical of all nuclear weapons. He himself has stated that his statements about peace have not been an attack on Trump or anyone else, and has emphasized that he speaks from biblical and church teachings.
Rubio will stay in Italy until Friday.
