U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday amid strained relations between Washington and the Holy See over the Iran war.

Axar.az reports, citing NBC, the sides discussed the situation in the Middle East and other issues of mutual interest.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the meeting underscored the “strong relationship” between the United States and the Vatican, as well as their shared commitment to peace and human dignity.

The closed-door audience came after weeks of public criticism by U.S. President Donald Trump directed at the pope over his comments on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Trump previously accused Pope Leo of being “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” after the pontiff called for peace negotiations and criticized the escalation of the conflict.

Pope Leo has rejected suggestions that he supports Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the Catholic Church opposes all nuclear weapons and continues to advocate for peace.

Rubio is also expected to hold talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy.