The head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio, completed a two-day visit to Rome on Friday, where he sought to ease tensions with the pope and called on Europeans to come to the aid in the Strait of Hormuz.
The task was not necessarily easy in view of Donald Trump’s recent harsh remarks both towards Leo XIV and the Italian authorities. The head of government, Giorgia Meloni, is however a close ally of the American president.
What is the world prepared to do about it? Will the world accept that Iran now controls an international waterway?
said the Secretary of State to journalists, denouncing Tehran’s desire to create a special authority responsible for approving passages through this strategic waterway.
The call targeted both Italy and other European countries, criticized by Mr. Trump for not having come to the aid of the United States to protect the strait.
If one of the main reasons why the United States is part of theI’LL TAKE is the possibility of deploying forces in Europe that we could project to other emergency situations, and that this is now no longer the case, at least as far as some members of theI’LL TAKEthis is a problem and needs to be looked into
a affirmé M. Rubio.
However, he added that the American president had not yet made a decision on how he intended to reprimand these countries.
Donald Trump threatened to withdraw US forces from Italy, saying Rome was no help to us
in the war against Iran.
Mr Rubio met Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace in a meeting which lasted almost an hour and a half, after having spoken with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani.
Earlier this week, during a visit to Armenia, Ms. Meloni said about this plan to withdraw American troops: This is a decision that does not depend on me and with which I disagree.
The meeting was certainly fruitful
, constructive
et frank between two nations
declared the Italian Prime Minister to the press, specifying that had been mentioned many topics
notably bilateral relations, the crisis in the Middle East, freedom of navigation, Libya, Lebanon and Ukraine.
We both understand how important the transatlantic relationship is, but we also both understand how necessary it is for everyone to defend their national interests
added the head of the Italian government.
Very good meeting
Marco Rubio, himself a devout Catholic, claimed Friday to have had a very good meeting
the day before with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, almost a month after Donald Trump’s criticism of the pacifist position of the sovereign pontiff.
He said he discussed topics of common interest, including religious freedom, the threat posed by Iran, as well as the role of the Catholic Church in delivering American humanitarian aid to Cuba.
It is important to share our views, give explanations and understand where we are coming from. And I found that very positive
he added, putting the American president’s diatribes into perspective.
Mr. Rubio’s visit follows scathing criticism made by the American president in mid-April against Leo XIV, leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world.
He had described the pope as weak
face à la criminalité et nul
in foreign policy after Leo XIV made critical comments on the war in the Middle East.
Marco Rubio also spoke with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
I informed them about the situation with Iran, expressed our views on the importance of this issue and the danger Iran poses to the world
he detailed, while the pope said he was opposed to the war.
Asked if President Trump would call the American Pope, he replied: I don’t know. Maybe. It could be done.
Marco Rubio, born to Cuban parents, also said honoré
to have been presented on Friday with the family tree of his Italian origins, which attest to his family history linked to the Piedmont region. He promised to learn Italian and return to the country to give a speech in the local language.
