Fact checkPoliticsPublished May 7, 2026
Media reports: “US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV.”. Our verdict: True.

The claim

“US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV.”

Media reportsNews reportMay 7, 2026Read the original

Coverage of Rubio's two-day visit to Rome.

Our verdict

True

Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 7 May 2026 amid tension between Trump and the pope.

What we found

Rubio met the pope and Cardinal Parolin in a visit of about two and a half hours. The claim is accurate.

The evidence

2 of 2 sources support the claim; none contradict it.

Contradict 0Support 2Background 0
  • Supports the claim

    Marco Rubio arrives in Vatican City for sit-down with Pope Leo. [1]

  • Supports the claim

    Rubio meets Pope Leo as Trump attacks strain US-Vatican ties. [2]

How we checked

We checked the claim against Fox 32 Chicago, National Catholic Reporter. We reviewed 2 relevant sources.

Sources

  1. [1]Fox 32 Chicago · Marco Rubio arrives in Vatican City for sit-down with Pope Leo
  2. [2]National Catholic Reporter · Rubio meets Pope Leo; Trump attacks strain US-Vatican ties

Have evidence we missed?

If you know of a source that confirms or contradicts this claim, send us the link. We review every submission and update fact checks when new evidence changes the picture.

Measured Take updates fact checks when new evidence emerges. Corrections are noted on the page.

All fact checks