Rome, May 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held talks with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome amid growing tensions between Italy and Washington over the US-Israel war on Iran and recent remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding Pope Pope Leo XIV.
Rubio arrived in Italy on Friday for a two-day visit aimed at easing diplomatic strains after Rome declined to support the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The visit also comes amid political backlash in Italy over Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV, which Meloni described as “unacceptable”.
Before meeting Meloni, Rubio held discussions with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who characterized the talks as constructive.
“I am convinced that Europe needs America, Italy needs America, but the United States also needs Europe and Italy,” Tajani stated following the meeting.
The discussions between Meloni and Rubio focused on a range of international issues, including the situation in the Gulf, Russia’s war in Ukraine, US tariffs on European goods, and Washington’s policy toward Cuba.
Italian officials also sought clarification regarding Rubio’s meeting at the Vatican a day earlier, amid controversy surrounding Trump’s comments about the pontiff in the predominantly Catholic country. Rubio later described his meeting with Pope Leo XIV as “very positive”.
Relations between Rome and Washington have become increasingly strained in recent weeks over the conflict involving Iran. Trump reportedly criticized Meloni’s position on the war, accusing her government of lacking resolve and suggesting that the United States could reconsider its military presence in Italy.
While Meloni rejected the idea of supporting such a move, she acknowledged that decisions regarding US troop deployments ultimately rest with Washington.
Italy has also resisted direct involvement in the conflict. Last month, Rome declined to authorize the use of the Sigonella airbase in Sicily by US aircraft for combat operations linked to the war, with Italian officials noting that the request had not received formal approval.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned that the conflict could undermine US global leadership and raised concerns over the risk of nuclear escalation.
Speaking after his meeting with Meloni, Rubio stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The world has to start asking itself, what is it willing to do if Iran tries to normalise control of an international waterway? I think that’s unacceptable,” Rubio said.
European countries have so far refrained from supporting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, despite Washington’s efforts to pressure Tehran over the strategically vital waterway. The blockade has contributed to rising energy prices and placed additional economic pressure on several European economies, including Italy’s.
Rubio also warned that failure to deter Iran could encourage political actors elsewhere to attempt control of other strategically important maritime routes.
The visit comes at a politically sensitive time for Meloni, with analysts suggesting that her close relationship with Trump could become a political liability ahead of Italy’s national elections next year, as public opposition to the Iran war continues to grow.
