Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in a meeting seen as an attempt to ease tensions and rebuild stronger ties between Washington and the Holy See. Rubio presented the Pope with a crystal football, adding a warm and personal touch to the diplomatic exchange. The visit comes at a time when both sides have differed on issues ranging from migration to global conflicts, but the meeting signalled a willingness to reopen dialogue and strengthen cooperation.


Marco Rubio Gifts Crystal Football To Pope Leo XIV Amid Effort To Reset Ties

Marco Rubio outlines the US-Iran negotiation approach, defends the Strait of Hormuz security plan, warns on nuclear risks, and comments on Vatican tensions

Rubio: Iran 'just don't mean it' on nuclear weapons, brushes off Trump's attack on Pope before Vatican visit

Pope Leo concluded his Africa tour with a massive public gathering that drew thousands of faithful on the final day of his visit. The Pope’s trip focused on messages of peace, unity, and social justice, while also strengthening ties with local church communities across the continent.

Pope Leo Attracts Thousands on Final Day of Africa Tour

Pope Leo Draws Thousands on Last Day of Africa Tour 

Pope Leo has stated that he has no interest in engaging in a debate with US President Donald Trump, distancing himself from political confrontation. The remarks come amid heightened global political discourse, with the Pope emphasizing focus on spiritual leadership rather than political exchanges.

Pope Leo Says He Has No Interest in Debating Trump 

Pope Leo XIV has warned that artificial intelligence could gradually replace reality with simulation if left unchecked, urging students to engage with technology responsibly while preserving human judgment and creativity. Speaking during an address to students, the Pope highlighted both the opportunities and risks of AI, encouraging young people to embrace innovation without losing sight of human values and critical thinking in a rapidly changing digital world.

Pope Leo Says AI Slowly Replacing Reality with Simulation; Urges Students to Embrace Technology 

Donald Trump has doubled down on his hardline stance against Iran, responding sharply to criticism from Pope Leo XIV over the ongoing conflict. Trump insisted that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, calling it a global threat and urging the Pope to better understand the risks posed by Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump Defines Hardline Iran's Policy Against Pope's Criticism

Pope Leo XIV earlier said that Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, drawing sharp criticism from Donald Trump, who had described the pontiff as terrible on foreign policy. The dispute has since escalated.

‘Woe to those who manipulate God for war’: Pope Leo condemns ‘tyrants’ amid Trump feud

US Vice President JD Vance cautioned Pope Leo XIV on theology during a Turning Point event, amid tensions between Trump and the Pope on Iran policy. Trump criticized the Pope and posted an AI Jesus image, sparking backlash. The Pope condemned war rhetoric

'Not merely offering opinions': JD Vance schooled for asking Pope to 'be careful' amid feud with Trump

US Vice President JD Vance has publicly challenged Pope Leo XIV on theology. As tensions rise between Donald Trump and the head of the Catholic Church, Vance invoked “just war theory” to counter the Pope’s criticism of the Iran conflict.

Scroll down to read more.

'Be careful...': Pope has a doctorate in theology, but JD Vance just told him he’s wrong about God

Iran responds to Donald Trump’s AI-generated Jesus-like image with a viral AI video showing a dramatic confrontation. The exchange escalates US-Iran tensions amid Pope Leo controversy, social media propaganda, and online information warfare involving political symbolism and memes.

'Your reckoning has come': Iran's AI video response to Trump's Jesus Christ image amid Pope row

A rare and intense public clash has erupted between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo, with Trump calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and refusing to apologise despite mounting backlash. The row deepened after Trump shared—and later deleted—controversial images depicting himself in a Christ-like form. The dispute stems from sharp differences over the Iran conflict, highlighting a growing divide between political power and moral authority on the global stage.

Trump-Pope Leo Clash Explodes: 'Weak on Crime' Jibe, No Apology Amid Global Backlash

A rare and intense public clash has erupted between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo, with Trump calling the pontiff “weak on crime” and refusing to apologise despite mounting backlash. The row deepened after Trump shared—and later deleted—controversial images depicting himself in a Christ-like form. The dispute stems from sharp differences over the Iran conflict, highlighting a growing divide between political power and moral authority on the global stage.


In an unprecedented attack, U.S. President Donald Trump described Pope Leo XIV as 'weak' on crime and 'terrible' for foreign policy. This comes amid the Pope's scathing criticism of Trump over the West Asia war. Trump also stirred a row by depicting himself as 'Jesus Christ' in a Truth Social post.


Trump Horrifies Christians by Depicting Himself as 'Jesus' & Defaming Pope 

U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Pope Leo XIV, calling him “weak” on crime and foreign policy. Trump accused the pontiff of promoting soft policies that could undermine security and global stability.
The remarks have sparked debate among political and religious circles over the role of faith leaders in politics.

Pope Leo Vs Trump: Pope Leo Says He Has No Fear of the Donald Trump Administration

Pope Leo XIV has urged world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose dialogue over war as the conflict involving the United States–Israel confrontation with Iran continues to escalate. Delivering his Easter “Urbi et Orbi” message from the Vatican, the pontiff called on those with the power to wage war to pursue peace instead of domination and conflict.


US-Israel War with Iran: Pope Urges World Leaders to Lay Down Weapons 

Pope Leo XIV carried a wooden cross for all of the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on his first Good Friday as pontiff, marking the first time in decades that a pope carried the cross to every station.

“I think it will be an important sign because of what the pope represents, a spiritual leader in the world today, and for this voice, that everyone wants to hear, that says Christ still suffers,” Leo told reporters this week outside of the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo. “I carry all of this suffering in my prayer.”

Pope Leo XIV Leads Good Friday Procession

Pope Leo has voiced dismay over ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and across the world, calling the deaths and suffering a “scandal” for humanity. He urged an immediate ceasefire, dialogue between parties, and respect for human dignity as violence continues to escalate.

US-Iran War: Pope Leo Calls Wars a ‘Scandal’ for Humanity, Urges Ceasefire | WION

Pope Leo has urged the clergy to resist the temptation of using artificial intelligence to write sermons, emphasizing that spiritual guidance and pastoral care must come from human reflection and faith. He warned that overreliance on AI could undermine the authenticity of religious teachings and the personal connection between clergy and their congregations, calling for discernment in integrating technology into spiritual life.


Pope Leo urges clergy to 'Resist AI temptation' to use AI to write sermons 

Pope Leo Urges Clergy to 'Resist AI Temptation' to Use AI to Write Sermons

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will not visit the United States in 2026, disappointing hopes for a historic homecoming tour. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed no U.S. trip is expected this year.


Pope Leo XIV Will Not Visit US in 2026, Vatican Confirms No Homecoming Tour 

Pope Leo XIV unveiled a stunning Marian mosaic and a statue of St. Rose of Lima in the Vatican Gardens on January 31, 2026, celebrating Peru's faith during the Peruvian bishops' ad limina visit. 

Pope Leo Unveils Peru's Marian Mosaic, St. Rose Statue

Pope Leo XIV presides over the Christmas Day Mass at the Vatican, followed by his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing delivered from the central loggia of St Peter’s Basilica


Pope presides over Christmas eve mass, speaks out for people of Gaza amid ongoing conflict

After becoming the new pope, he frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza multiple times and said that the only solution to the decades-long war between Israel and Palestine must consider a Palestinian state.

'How can we not think of Gaza?': Pope Leo calls out Palestinian suffering in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon

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Marco Rubio Gifts Crystal Football To Pope Leo XIV Amid Effort To Reset Ties

Rubio: Iran 'just don't mean it' on nukes, brushes off Trump's attack on Pope

Pope Leo Attracts Thousands on Final Day of Africa Tour

Pope Leo Draws Thousands on Last Day of Africa Tour

Pope Leo Says He Has No Interest in Debating Trump

Pope Leo Says AI Slowly Replacing Reality with Simulation; Urges Students to Embrace Technology

Trump Defines Hardline Iran's Policy Against Pope's Criticism

‘Woe to those who manipulate God for war’: Pope slams ‘tyrants’ amid Trump feud

JD Vance schooled for asking Pope to 'be careful' amid feud with Trump

'Be careful...': Vance tells Pope he’s wrong about God

'Your reckoning has come': Iran's AI video response to Trump's Christ image

Trump-Pope Leo Clash Explodes: 'Weak on Crime' Jibe, No Apology Amid Global Backlash

Trump-Pope Leo Clash Explodes: 'Weak on Crime' Jibe, No Apology Amid Global Backlash

Trump Horrifies Christians by Depicting Himself as 'Jesus' & Defaming Pope

Pope Leo Vs Trump: Pope Leo Says He Has No Fear of the Donald Trump Administration

US-Israel War with Iran: Pope Urges World Leaders to Lay Down Weapons

Pope Leo XIV Leads Good Friday Procession

US-Iran War: Pope Leo Calls Wars a ‘Scandal’ for Humanity, Urges Ceasefire | WION

Pope Leo urges clergy to 'Resist AI temptation' to use AI to write sermons

Pope Leo Urges Clergy to 'Resist AI Temptation' to Use AI to Write Sermons

Pope Leo XIV Will Not Visit US in 2026, Vatican Confirms No Homecoming Tour

Pope Leo Unveils Peru's Marian Mosaic, St. Rose Statue

Pope presides over Christmas eve mass, speaks out for people of Gaza amid ongoing conflict

Pope Leo calls out Palestinian suffering in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon