Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Italy and the Vatican this week for high-level meetings aimed at easing diplomatic tensions between Washington, Rome, and the Holy See.

Axar.az reports, citing Fox News, the trip comes at a sensitive moment for US–European relations, as President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of reducing US troop deployments in NATO countries and intensified criticism of European allies over the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Rubio is expected to meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as well as Italian foreign and defense ministers, Italian media reported, citing La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera.

A meeting with Pope Leo is also considered possible but has not been confirmed.

Rubio, a Catholic and long-serving Republican figure, has been described as a key diplomatic intermediary within the administration and has previously met Pope Leo at the Vatican alongside Vice President JD Vance.

The reported visit is also intended to stabilize relations following recent public disagreements between Trump, Pope Leo, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over foreign policy and the war in Iran.

The White House, State Department, Vatican press office, and Italian government have not publicly commented on the reported trip.