The Holy See is impervious even to 'tariff threats'... Will Rubio's 'reconciliation mission' succeed?

The Holy See is impervious even to 'tariff threats'... Will Rubio's 'reconciliation mission' succeed?

Pope to meet with U.S. Secretary Rubio

Vatican Secretary of State: "The U.S. is an essential dialogue partner"

Pope Leo XIV will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Vatican on the 7th (local time).

Attention is focused on whether the strained relationship between the U.S. and the Holy See, which was complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of the Pope's call for an end to the war, can be restored.

According to local ANSA news agency and other sources, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, told reporters the previous day, "The U.S. is now, and will continue to be, an essential dialogue partner for the Holy See."

He added, "I will not judge President Trump's attacks (on the Pope)."

The Secretariat of State is a key department that coordinates the Holy See's diplomatic relations, and the Secretary of State is second in rank only to the Pope.

Cardinal Parolin's remarks were interpreted as the Holy See's intention to continue dialogue with the U.S. despite President Trump's persistent unfounded claims. President Trump has repeatedly criticized the Pope, misinterpreting the Pope's call for an end to the Iran war as meaning 'Iran should be allowed to have nuclear weapons'.

Ahead of the Pope's audience with Secretary Rubio, the Vatican expressed its willingness to dialogue with respect for the other party, but the general view is that this differs from the position of ordinary countries, which are usually at a disadvantage militarily, diplomatically, and economically.

The biggest difference is that the Holy See is free from the tariff card, which the Trump administration uses as a diplomatic pressure tool. It does not heavily rely on U.S. economic aid, and direct or indirect diplomatic, military, or political pressure also does not work.

This is why some observers believe that Rubio's audience with the Pope will not be a typical diplomatic negotiation, but rather an occasion for the U.S. to unilaterally persuade the Holy See.

Francesco Sisi, a Vatican expert at the Appia Institute in Rome, told Politico, "No one can influence or pressure the Vatican," adding, "You have to engage with the Vatican rationally."

Some also speculate that Secretary Rubio might request the Holy See's tacit approval for possible military action against Cuba during his meeting with the Pope today.

On the 5th, Secretary Rubio stated that Cuba is a failed state and its regime is incompetent, calling it an "unacceptable situation." He also said that he plans to meet the Pope in the Vatican to discuss humanitarian aid plans for Cuba through the Catholic Church.