Marco Rubio's Vatican visit was supposed to be about diplomacy. Instead, for a brief moment, it looked more like an awkward holiday gift exchange involving what the internet has branded a 'cheap gift'. The US Secretary of State met Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7) for talks officially centred on the Middle East and broader geopolitical issues, but it was Rubio’s gift choice that ended up stealing attention: a small crystal American football. It's not just the gift that is stealing attention, but also Rubio admitting that he knows that the Pope is, in fact, a baseball fan, yet he chose to gift the pontiff a football. The Pope's return gift has also taken the spotlight with its subtle peace message. All you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-anyone-wants-to-criticise-me-do-so-truthfully-pope-leo-slams-trump-over-iran-nuclear-claims-1778062797564">'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims</a><h2>What do you give someone 'who has everything'</h2>"I know you’re a baseball guy," Rubio told the Chicago-born pontiff while presenting the unusual keepsake, adding that it carried the State Department seal and jokingly asking what one gives "someone who has everything."Pope Leo, known to be a White Sox fan, appeared momentarily caught off guard and only said, "Wow, okay" upon receiving the unusual gift. That short response quickly became the defining social media moment of the meeting, with many reading it less as delight and more as polite Vatican diplomacy under pressure.<h2>A football for a baseball pope?</h2>Rubio's choice raised eyebrows not because it was offensive, but because it felt oddly personal, almost more reflective of Rubio than the pope. The Florida-born secretary is a longtime American football fan, particularly of the Miami Dolphins, while Pope Leo's sports loyalties are rooted in Chicago baseball culture.By contrast, the pope’s gift carried unmistakably symbolic weight: an olive wood pen, paired with a reminder that the olive branch represents peace. Given the wider political climate and the ongoing public feud between Pope Leo and US President Donald Trump, the symbolism was hard to miss. Despite the viral football moment, the Vatican later described Rubio’s talks as "cordial" and reaffirmed strong US-Holy See relations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-dismisses-iranian-attack-on-three-us-warships-as-a-trifle-insists-ceasefire-still-in-place-1778205065513">Trump dismisses Iranian attack on three US warships in Strait of Hormuz as 'a trifle,' insists ceasefire still in place</a><h2>Bigger tensions behind the smiles</h2>The meeting came at a delicate moment, as Trump's increasingly sharp rhetoric toward Pope Leo continues. The POTUS, in recent days, has publicly criticised the pontiff over his opposition to war with Iran, accusing him, inaccurately according to Vatican statements, of being soft on Tehran.Pope Leo has instead reiterated the Church’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons and emphasised peace. "If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully," the pope said earlier this week.

Marco Rubio went to the Vatican for diplomacy, but it was his gift, a crystal American football for a baseball-loving pope, that stole the spotlight. Pope Leo’s understated response and peace-themed return gift may have said far more than the official talks. Scroll down.

Marco Rubio's Vatican visit was supposed to be about diplomacy. Instead, for a brief moment, it looked more like an awkward holiday gift exchange involving what the internet has branded a 'cheap gift'. The US Secretary of State met Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7) for talks officially centred on the Middle East and broader geopolitical issues, but it was Rubio’s gift choice that ended up stealing attention: a small crystal American football. It's not just the gift that is stealing attention, but also Rubio admitting that he knows that the Pope is, in fact, a baseball fan, yet he chose to gift the pontiff a football. The Pope's return gift has also taken the spotlight with its subtle peace message. All you need to know. Also read | 'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims What do you give someone 'who has everything' "I know you’re a baseball guy," Rubio told the Chicago-born pontiff while presenting the unusual keepsake, adding that it carried the State Department seal and jokingly asking what one gives "someone who has everything." Pope Leo, known to be a White Sox fan, appeared momentarily caught off guard and only said, "Wow, okay" upon receiving the unusual gift. That short response quickly became the defining social media moment of the meeting, with many reading it less as delight and more as polite Vatican diplomacy under pressure. A football for a baseball pope? Rubio's choice raised eyebrows not because it was offensive, but because it felt oddly personal, almost more reflective of Rubio than the pope. The Florida-born secretary is a longtime American football fan, particularly of the Miami Dolphins, while Pope Leo's sports loyalties are rooted in Chicago baseball culture. By contrast, the pope’s gift carried unmistakably symbolic weight: an olive wood pen, paired with a reminder that the olive branch represents peace. Given the wider political climate and the ongoing public feud between Pope Leo and US President Donald Trump, the symbolism was hard to miss. Despite the viral football moment, the Vatican later described Rubio’s talks as "cordial" and reaffirmed strong US-Holy See relations. Also read | Trump dismisses Iranian attack on three US warships in Strait of Hormuz as 'a trifle,' insists ceasefire still in place Bigger tensions behind the smiles The meeting came at a delicate moment, as Trump's increasingly sharp rhetoric toward Pope Leo continues. The POTUS, in recent days, has publicly criticised the pontiff over his opposition to war with Iran, accusing him, inaccurately according to Vatican statements, of being soft on Tehran. Pope Leo has instead reiterated the Church’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons and emphasised peace. "If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully," the pope said earlier this week.

Marco Rubio went to the Vatican for diplomacy, but it was his gift, a crystal American football for a baseball-loving pope, that stole the spotlight. Pope Leo’s understated response and peace-themed return gift may have said far more than the official talks. Scroll down.

Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight

The US State Department reaffirmed its ‘strong relationship’ with the Vatican following talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7), despite recent tensions between the pontiff and President Donald Trump. “The conversations today were friendly and constructive,” a State Department official told AFP after Rubio’s private audience at the Vatican. Rubio’s visit followed Trump’s criticism of the first American pope, accusing Leo of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff voiced concerns over the Middle East conflict. After the meeting, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Pope Leo and Rubio discussed the Middle East and shared priorities in the Western Hemisphere, referring largely to Latin America.&nbsp;“The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” Pigott said. Rubio also met Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to discuss religious freedom and other international concerns. The Vatican described the talks as “cordial,” saying discussions focused on global conflicts, humanitarian issues, and “as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace”. The Holy See added that both sides expressed a “shared commitment to cultivate good bilateral relations”. During the exchange of gifts, Pope Leo presented Rubio with a pen crafted from olive wood, explaining that “the olive tree is a plant of peace”. The United States gifted the sports-loving pope a small crystal American football.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-india-is-the-place-to-be-says-chief-of-chamber-of-european-business-in-india-1778177931163">‘India is the place to be,’ says Chief of Chamber of European Business in India</a>&nbsp;Rubio, a devout Catholic, attempted to ease concerns about divisions between the White House and the Vatican, tensions that have drawn international attention and could affect Catholic voters in the United States. Speaking earlier this week, Parolin said regarding Rubio’s visit: “We'll listen to him”, while noting that Washington had requested the meeting. The Trump administration had welcomed Leo’s election on May 8, 2025, celebrating the rise of the first US-born pope. However, relations between the Vatican and Washington have since become strained. Trump’s latest criticism followed Pope Leo’s appeals for peace in the Middle East conflict involving Israel and the United States. The pontiff also described Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable”.&nbsp;Before arriving in Rome, Rubio insisted the trip had been arranged before the dispute emerged, saying: “There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican.” A US official later praised the reception Rubio received, saying it “exceeded expectations”. Rubio entered Vatican City through the Arch of Bells, an honour typically reserved for heads of state, where he was welcomed by the Swiss Guard. Sources also confirmed discussions touched on Cuba, where the Vatican has historically played a diplomatic role. Rubio, a Cuban-American, has been a key figure in shaping US policy toward the communist-led nation.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-faces-crucial-electoral-test-as-polls-project-defeat-in-local-election-1778170057421/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-faces-crucial-electoral-test-as-polls-project-defeat-in-local-election-1778170057421/embed</a>&nbsp;Despite efforts to cool tensions, Trump again criticised the pope on Monday, claiming Leo believed it was “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. “I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” Trump said. Responding to reporters on Tuesday, Pope Leo defended the Church’s long-standing stance on peace and disarmament. “If anyone wishes to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” he said.&nbsp;“The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that, and I simply hope to be heard for the sake of the value of God's word.” Parolin later dismissed the attacks, saying: “The pope is being the pope.” Leo’s American background has amplified his influence in US political debates, especially after he criticised the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The pope and Rubio first met at the Vatican last year alongside Vice President JD Vance, just days after Leo’s historic election.

Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican as the US and Holy See reaffirmed relations despite Donald Trump’s criticism of the pope over Middle East policy and immigration

The US State Department reaffirmed its ‘strong relationship’ with the Vatican following talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (May 7), despite recent tensions between the pontiff and President Donald Trump. “The conversations today were friendly and constructive,” a State Department official told AFP after Rubio’s private audience at the Vatican. Rubio’s visit followed Trump’s criticism of the first American pope, accusing Leo of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff voiced concerns over the Middle East conflict. After the meeting, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Pope Leo and Rubio discussed the Middle East and shared priorities in the Western Hemisphere, referring largely to Latin America. “The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” Pigott said. Rubio also met Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to discuss religious freedom and other international concerns. The Vatican described the talks as “cordial,” saying discussions focused on global conflicts, humanitarian issues, and “as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace”. The Holy See added that both sides expressed a “shared commitment to cultivate good bilateral relations”. During the exchange of gifts, Pope Leo presented Rubio with a pen crafted from olive wood, explaining that “the olive tree is a plant of peace”. The United States gifted the sports-loving pope a small crystal American football. Also Read: ‘India is the place to be,’ says Chief of Chamber of European Business in India Rubio, a devout Catholic, attempted to ease concerns about divisions between the White House and the Vatican, tensions that have drawn international attention and could affect Catholic voters in the United States. Speaking earlier this week, Parolin said regarding Rubio’s visit: “We'll listen to him”, while noting that Washington had requested the meeting. The Trump administration had welcomed Leo’s election on May 8, 2025, celebrating the rise of the first US-born pope. However, relations between the Vatican and Washington have since become strained. Trump’s latest criticism followed Pope Leo’s appeals for peace in the Middle East conflict involving Israel and the United States. The pontiff also described Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable”. Before arriving in Rome, Rubio insisted the trip had been arranged before the dispute emerged, saying: “There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican.” A US official later praised the reception Rubio received, saying it “exceeded expectations”. Rubio entered Vatican City through the Arch of Bells, an honour typically reserved for heads of state, where he was welcomed by the Swiss Guard. Sources also confirmed discussions touched on Cuba, where the Vatican has historically played a diplomatic role. Rubio, a Cuban-American, has been a key figure in shaping US policy toward the communist-led nation. https://www.wionews.com/videos/starmer-faces-crucial-electoral-test-as-polls-project-defeat-in-local-election-1778170057421/embed Despite efforts to cool tensions, Trump again criticised the pope on Monday, claiming Leo believed it was “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. “I think he's endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” Trump said. Responding to reporters on Tuesday, Pope Leo defended the Church’s long-standing stance on peace and disarmament. “If anyone wishes to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” he said. “The Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years, so there is no doubt about that, and I simply hope to be heard for the sake of the value of God's word.” Parolin later dismissed the attacks, saying: “The pope is being the pope.” Leo’s American background has amplified his influence in US political debates, especially after he criticised the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The pope and Rubio first met at the Vatican last year alongside Vice President JD Vance, just days after Leo’s historic election.

The United States and Vatican leaders reaffirm ties after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV amid escalating tensions with Donald Trump

Marco Rubio meets Pope Leo XIV as US-Vatican reaffirm 'strong' relations after Trump's criticism

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Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight

Rubio meets Pope Leo as US-Vatican reaffirm strong ties after Trump's criticism