- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, a visit occurring amid strained relations between the White House and the Holy See.
- During the meeting, an awkward gift exchange took place, with Pope Leo presenting an olive branch and Rubio offering a crystal football.
- The Vatican confirmed the visit was intended to address the fallout from a prolonged disagreement between Pope Leo and President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing war in Iran.
- Pope Leo has consistently condemned the Iran conflict, criticizing its origins and Trump's threats, while Trump has publicly derided the Pope's foreign policy views.
- A recent YouGov survey indicates that 48 percent of Americans align more with Pope Leo's views on the Iran war, compared to 28 percent who agree with Trump.
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