U.S. top diplomat Marco Rubio is reportedly traveling to Rome this week to meet with Pope Leo XIV and Italian government officials. The visit aims to ease strained relations, particularly after Donald Trump criticized both Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the pontiff's anti-war statements. Rubio's visit coincides with the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV's papacy.

Marco Rubio will travel to Rome this week for a visit reportedly aimed at easing strained relations with the Italyn government and the Holy See. Both Giorgia Meloni and Pope Leo XIV have faced criticism from Donald Trump, who has publicly attacked the pontiff’s anti-war remarks. Marco Rubio is due to be in the Italian capital during the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, the first US-born leader of the Catholic Church. France 24 correspondent Seema Gupta reports the latest from Rome.