Donald Trump was recently called out by a local Bishop after the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The two leaders had a closed meeting for over 40 minutes. This comes after Trump previously lashed out at the Pope over his views on the Iran war.
Local bishop slams Donald Trump over Pope Leo criticism
Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez recently slammed the current US President on social media after the Secretary of State met with the Pope.
Previously, Donald Trump had launched a verbal attack on Pope Leo after he condemned the war between the US and Iran. The Palm Beach Bishop, in his statement on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted his actions and noted, “The renewed attacks directed by President Trump against our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, are entirely inconsistent with the Pope’s longstanding witness to justice, peace, and the dignity of every human person. Far from “endangering Catholics,” Pope Leo continues to inspire the faithful throughout the world through his humility, compassion, and goodness of heart.”
Bishop Rodríguez further took into account the 250th year of independence of the US and wrote, “As our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, this is a moment to reaffirm the values of respect, civility, and gratitude which define America’s soul — especially as we approach the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, the first ever American Pope.”
According to a report by USA Today, the meeting between Marco Rubio and Pope Leo was to discuss the situation in the Middle East. During the meeting, he gifted the Head of State of Vatican City a tiny crystal American football.
Speaking on this, Rubio said, “I know you’re a baseball guy, but I mean it has the seal of the State Department. What to get someone who has everything? I thought a crystal (football).” Meanwhile, the Pope gifted Marco Rubio a pen made of olive wood, which is a symbol of peace.
Notably, Rubio’s comments come after President Donald Trump recently criticized Pope Leo’s stance on the Iran war, claiming that the pontiff was “endangering a lot of Catholics.”
Originally reported by Ishita Verma on Mandatory.
