“I think what the president basically said is Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon because they would use it in places where there’s a lot of Catholics and Christians and others, for that matter,” said Marco Rubio. Rubio’s upcoming visit to the Vatican from May 6-8, 2026, aims to address the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere.
Rubio’s visit comes amid ongoing tensions between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. President Trump publicly attacked the Pope, claiming he supports Iran having a nuclear weapon. Rubio defended Trump’s claim about the Pope’s stance on Iran, stating it is “not an accurate description.” The Pope has repeatedly urged for peace amid the U.S. war with Iran.
Rubio quoted Cypress Hill’s song “Insane in the Brain” to describe Iran’s leadership. He expressed concerns about escalating tensions. “There is no scenario here in which, if they decide to join a ladder of escalation, they wind up getting the last say,” he stated.
The Pope has labeled Trump’s threats against Iran as “unacceptable.” This marks Rubio as the first high-level official from the Trump administration to meet with the Pope since May 19, 2025. Tensions have existed between the Trump administration and the Vatican over various domestic and foreign policy issues.
The time has come for Iran to make a sensible choice, according to Rubio. He acknowledged that it is not easy for them due to fractures in their own leadership system. As discussions unfold, both parties aim to find common ground on pressing issues in the Middle East.
