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Pope Leo XIV will ask the world’s cardinals to discuss war, peace and the future of the Synod on Synodality at an Extraordinary Consistory on 26 and 27 June. The agenda includes the international situation and Magnifica Humanitas, but makes no provision for discussion of the liturgy Pope Leo has decided not to include the liturgy in the agenda for the upcoming June consistory. The pontiff will instead ask the world’s cardinals to discuss war, peace and the future of the Synod on Synodality when they gather in Rome later this month for an Extraordinary Consistory. Details of the agenda emerged after a letter sent to cardinals by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was published by the Italian blog Messa in Latino. According to Diane Montagna, the meeting, which will take place on 26 and 27 June, will focus on the international situation, Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and the implementation of the Synod on Synodality. Cardinal Re said the gathering was intended to provide “a space for mutual listening, discernment, and shared reflection on certain matters of importance for the life and mission of the Church at the present time”. He wrote that Pope Leo wished “to draw upon the experience and counsel of the members of the College of Cardinals” and to count on “the active assistance and support of each one in the various places and responsibilities in which he serves the Church”. The first session will be dedicated to the situation facing the Church and the world. Cardinals will be invited to reflect on “what sufferings, tensions, and questions are today affecting with greatest force the peoples and ecclesial communities entrusted to your care” and to identify “signs of hope, fidelity to the Gospel and possible reconciliation” that should be brought before the College and the Pope. Two sessions will then be devoted to Magnifica Humanitas , Pope Leo’s first encyclical. One discussion will centre on Chapter Five of the document, titled The Culture of Power and the Civilisation of Love , with particular attention given to questions of war and peace. Cardinal Re noted that the encyclical teaches that “peace is not simply one issue among others, but a prerequisite for the universal common good and a test of the moral maturity of peoples”. The cardinals will be asked to consider how best to reaffirm the encyclical’s assertion “that the ‘just war’ theory, which has all too often been used to justify any kind of war, is now outdated”, and to discuss “what concrete paths might help peoples and Christian communities to safeguard and build peace”. A further session will examine the encyclical’s call to interpret contemporary social and cultural changes in the light of the Gospel and to direct the search for happiness and fulfilment towards what the document describes as integral human development. The final working session will focus on the next stage of the Synod on Synodality, the worldwide consultation process launched under Pope Francis. Cardinals will receive an update on preparations for the assemblies planned for 2027 and 2028 following the publication of the document Toward the Assemblies 2027–2028: Stages, Criteria, and Tools for Preparation . The update will be followed by a period of open discussion with Pope Leo. According to Cardinal Re’s letter, interventions from members of the College will be limited to three minutes each. The consistory will conclude on 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, when Pope Leo celebrates Mass in St Peter’s Basilica and imposes the pallium on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops.

Politicians, bishops and technology leaders across the United States, Britain and Canada have begun responding to Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas The first international reactions to Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural encyclical have begun to emerge less than 24 hours after its publication, with bishops, politicians and technology figures across the United States, Britain and Canada welcoming the document’s warnings about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence. The encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, was released by the Vatican on 25 May and is already being compared to Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 1891 social encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed the upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. Pope Leo XIV deliberately dated the text 15 May to coincide with the 135th anniversary of the earlier document. One of the strongest official political reactions came from the United States ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, who praised the Vatican’s intervention in the growing global debate surrounding AI. “We welcome the Holy See’s important contribution to the subject of artificial intelligence,” Burch said. “The Vatican’s moral leadership on technology and human dignity contributes meaningfully to the global conversation on AI.” Burch said the United States shared the Holy See’s commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence “serves humanity and upholds fundamental values”, while also defending the Trump administration’s emphasis on innovation and American leadership in the sector. “The United States is likewise committed to exporting American AI technologies built on principles of transparency, security and human flourishing, ensuring the world benefits from AI systems that reflect democratic values rather than authoritarian control,” he said. David Sacks, the technology investor and former White House AI adviser, also responded publicly to the encyclical, agreeing with the Pope’s argument that AI should remain a tool at the service of humanity rather than become an instrument of “domination or exclusion”. Writing on X, however, Sacks questioned how governments could be trusted with increased regulatory authority over artificial intelligence. “If we hand governments sweeping power over AI development in the name of safety, how do we prevent it from being used to censor, surveil and control citizens, as Orwell foretold in 1984?” he wrote. “This is the real alignment problem. The oldest questions of human nature and authority don’t disappear in the AI age. They become newly relevant.” The encyclical also drew praise from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who said Pope Leo XIV had articulated growing concerns about the social and moral effects of artificial intelligence. “AI threatens to undermine the basic building blocks of humanity as it seeks to replace our most basic functions, like creativity, friendship and critical thinking,” Murphy wrote, describing the Pope’s warning against monopolisation of AI technologies by powerful corporations as “really important”. Catholic bishops throughout the English-speaking world moved quickly to welcome the document, presenting it as a major contribution to Catholic social teaching at a moment of rapid technological change. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the Church in the United States received the encyclical “with gratitude and praise”. “It is a powerful reminder that no technology can replace a child of God, and all technology should be placed at the service of helping humanity thrive,” he said. Drawing parallels with Rerum Novarum, Archbishop Coakley said Pope Leo XIV had shone “the light of the Gospel and the tradition of the Church” on the opportunities and dangers created by artificial intelligence. “The Pope calls us to never lose sight of the inherent dignity of all human life and the moral imperative for technology to support peace and the common good rather than the limited interests of a few,” he said. The Archbishop also revealed that the US bishops’ conference had already tasked its doctrine committee with coordinating the Church’s response to developments in artificial intelligence. In England and Wales, Archbishop Richard Moth, president of the bishops’ conference, and the Archbishop of Westminster described the encyclical as “an important contribution to integral human development during a time of considerable change”. “One of the first interventions of Pope Leo since he was elected Pope was to draw attention to the profound challenges AI will bring to humanity,” Archbishop Moth said. The Archbishop of Westminster noted that the Church’s social teaching tradition since Rerum Novarum offered substantial guidance for navigating technological and economic upheaval. “We must respond to these, placing the centrality of humanity above all else, most especially the solidarity that is needed if we are to seek peace among peoples,” he said. “Pope Leo reminds us that ‘more powerful does not necessarily mean better.’” Archbishop Moth warned that technology “must not be used to embed unjust economic systems and abuses of power, but must always be at the service of human development”. He also disclosed that the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales had established a working group to study the encyclical and examine the ethical issues generated by artificial intelligence. Other American bishops issued similar statements within hours of publication. Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington said the encyclical was especially welcome “in this time of tremendous social and technological change”. “I encourage all to join me over the coming days in reading Magnifica Humanitas in its entirety and prayerfully considering all that the Holy Father shares,” Bishop Burbidge said. Archbishop Richard Henning of Boston described the document as “timely and important”, while Archbishop Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia encouraged Catholics to reflect on its “vital message” concerning the protection of human dignity during rapid technological development. Bishop William Koenig of Wilmington, Delaware, said the encyclical drew upon the wisdom of Catholic social teaching to ensure that technological progress remained directed towards “human flourishing”. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops also welcomed the document, saying it offered guidance for protecting the human person during “a profound epochal shift”. The bishops highlighted the encyclical’s call for “a civilization of love founded on justice, dialogue and shared responsibility” as an alternative to what the Vatican described as “the culture of power and war”. However, a more critical reaction came from the Bishop Emeritus of Tyler, Bishop Joseph Strickland, who published a lengthy critique arguing that Magnifica Humanitas risked placing excessive emphasis on social structures and human flourishing at the expense of sin, repentance and salvation. While acknowledging the encyclical’s “strong and important” rejection of transhumanism and its warnings about “AI warfare, exploitation, digital manipulation and technological domination”, Bishop Strickland said the document devoted comparatively little attention to “original sin, concupiscence, personal repentance, moral culpability, judgment, hell, penance, or the eternal destiny of the soul”. Bishop Strickland argued that “the roots of evil begin to appear primarily structural rather than spiritual” and warned that the encyclical’s repeated calls for a “civilization of love” risked sounding “less like the fruit of conversion to Christ and more like a global humanitarian project centred on fraternity, solidarity, inclusion and peace”. The former Bishop of Tyler said many Catholics would find the document “deeply unsettling” because “the entire framework is subtly shifting: from God-centredness to man-centredness, from salvation to human flourishing, from sin to systems”. He concluded by warning against “religious humanism” and insisting that “the answer remains what it has always been: Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Pope Leo XIV has published the first encyclical of his pontificate, warning that artificial intelligence risks creating a new “Tower of Babel” built on technocratic power, dehumanisation and moral confusion Pope Leo XIV has published the first encyclical of his pontificate, issuing a warning against the dangers posed by artificial intelligence and what he describes as a growing “culture of power” threatening the dignity of the human person. Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), released by the Vatican on 25 May after being held under strict embargo until late Monday morning in Rome, is the Holy Father’s most substantial intervention yet in the global debate surrounding AI and the technological transformation of society. The encyclical argues that humanity now stands between two paths: the construction of a new “Tower of Babel” founded on pride, uniformity and technocratic power, or the rebuilding of a new Jerusalem grounded in solidarity, communion and God-centred human fraternity. “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together,” the Pope writes in the opening paragraphs of the encyclical. The 230-paragraph document is the first major social encyclical of Leo XIV’s pontificate and immediately places him within the long tradition of modern Catholic social teaching stretching back to Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum in 1891. Far from rejecting technological progress outright, Leo XIV repeatedly insists that technology is a fundamentally human achievement capable of serving the common good. However, he warns that technological systems can never be considered morally neutral and must remain subordinate to the dignity of the human person. “We cannot consider AI to be morally neutral,” the Pope states. The encyclical presents artificial intelligence as one of the defining res novae — “new things” — confronting the modern world, the language traditionally used by the Church to describe the upheavals of the industrial revolution. The document states that unprecedented technological power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of private actors operating beyond effective political oversight, creating new dangers for democracy, labour, truth and peace. “More power does not necessarily imply something better,” it states. Much of the encyclical is devoted to explaining why the Church believes artificial intelligence cannot be equated with human intelligence. The Pope insists that AI systems, however sophisticated, remain incapable of moral reasoning, authentic relationships or genuine human experience. “So-called artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain,” the encyclical says. “Nor do they have a moral conscience.” Leo XIV repeatedly returns to the theme of human dignity, grounding the entire encyclical in the belief that every person possesses an “infinite dignity” rooted in creation in the image of God rather than in usefulness, efficiency or productivity. “The fundamental dignity of each person,” he writes, “is neither acquired nor earned, nor does it need to be justified.” The Pope warns that the unchecked growth of AI risks creating new forms of dehumanisation in which human beings are valued according to economic output, algorithmic usefulness or digital visibility. He cautions against reducing human judgement to automated systems and criticises cultural movements that treat technological transcendence as a substitute for spiritual fulfilment. One of the most striking sections of the document is its sustained critique of transhumanist and posthumanist ideologies, which seek to overcome biological limitations through technological enhancement. Without naming particular movements or figures, Leo XIV argues that such projects reflect humanity’s recurring temptation to seek salvation apart from God. “Babel thus reveals the limits of any effort that, however grandiose, arises from self-affirmation, sacrifices human dignity for efficiency and aspires to reach heaven without God’s blessing,” the encyclical says. The encyclical also addresses the growing political and social consequences of AI-generated misinformation and manipulated media. Leo XIV warns that artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the public square and undermining trust in democratic institutions through the spread of falsehoods and synthetic content. “Disinformation finds a powerful amplifier in AI,” the document states. The Pope argues that truth itself must be defended as a “common good” and calls for what he describes as an “ecology of communication” rooted in responsibility, education and human relationships rather than manipulation and profit. “The search for truth is an essential element of democracy,” he writes. Questions surrounding labour and the future of work occupy another substantial portion of the encyclical. Leo XIV warns against economic systems that prioritise efficiency over workers and expresses concern about automation displacing millions of people while weakening social bonds and family life. The Pope also calls for stronger political oversight of AI systems, greater international cooperation and safeguards against the monopolisation of data and digital infrastructure. In one of the encyclical’s most arresting phrases, Leo XIV urges world leaders to “disarm AI”. “Disarming AI means freeing it from the mentality of ‘armed’ competition,” the Pope writes, warning against an escalating technological arms race between states and corporations. The document devotes an extended section to the dangers posed by autonomous weapons systems and the growing use of AI in warfare. Leo XIV argues that artificial intelligence is accelerating the pace and destructiveness of conflict while distancing human beings from moral responsibility for violence. “AI acts as an accelerating factor” in changing the nature of war, he writes. The Pope condemns what he calls the “normalisation of war” and criticises a global culture increasingly resigned to permanent conflict, weakened diplomacy and the collapse of multilateral institutions. “This culture of power infiltrates society,” he warns, “normalising war.” Despite the encyclical’s sombre tone, the document concludes on a strongly hopeful note centred on the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation. Against ideologies promising technological transcendence, Leo XIV points to Christ as the true fulfilment of humanity. “At the heart of everything is the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us,” he writes. The final pages call on Catholics to resist despair and instead help build what the Pope repeatedly describes as a “civilisation of love” capable of directing technological progress towards authentic human flourishing. “In the era of artificial intelligence,” the Pope writes, “when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanisation, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human.”

Magnifica Humanitatis will reportedly place human dignity at the centre of the Church’s response to artificial intelligence as Pope Leo XIV addresses war, algorithms and the moral limits of technological progress Pope Leo XIV will publish his first encyclical on Monday, warning against the dangers of transhumanism and the dehumanising effects of artificial intelligence, according to details revealed in advance by Vatican correspondent Nico Spuntoni. The document, titled Magnifica Humanitatis , has reportedly been described inside the Vatican as the defining text of the new pontificate and places the defence of human dignity at the centre of the Church’s response to rapid technological change. According to Spuntoni, the encyclical argues that humanity now stands “at a crossroads between self-sufficiency and solidarity” as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in political, economic and social life. The text frames that struggle through biblical imagery while returning repeatedly to the theological significance of the Incarnation. Nico Spuntoni wrote that Leo XIV presents “contemplation of the Incarnate Word” as the answer to what the Pope calls “the eclipse of the meaning of what it means to be human”. The encyclical is expected to expand substantially on comments made by the Pope shortly after his election when he explained why he had chosen the name Leo. Addressing the College of Cardinals, the Pope said Leo XIII had confronted “the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution”, while the Church today must respond to “another industrial revolution and to the developments of artificial intelligence, which bring new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and work”. Far from rejecting technological development altogether, the encyclical reportedly argues that artificial intelligence must remain subject to moral responsibility and ordered towards the common good. The Pope is also said to warn against any attempt to replace or transcend the human person through technology. Furthermore, Nico Spuntoni reported that Leo XIV criticises those who seek “to transcend humanity through technology”, while insisting on what he previously described as a “healthy sense of proportion” in relation to scientific development. The document reportedly returns several times to the question of human dignity as the measure against which all technological progress must be judged. In one passage referenced by Spuntoni, the Pope stresses that the human person possesses inherent dignity because each person is “willed, created, and loved by God”. That theme had already appeared in the Pope’s message for this year’s World Communications Day, in which he quoted St Gregory of Nyssa’s teaching that mankind possesses “a royal character” because humanity is created in the image of God. According to Nico Spuntoni’s account, the Pope expresses particular concern about what he sees as the erosion of moral accountability through reliance on algorithms and automated systems. The encyclical reportedly develops warnings Leo XIV issued earlier this year in a message for the International Day of Mathematics, when he called for algorithms to respect “the integral growth of the person” and not exclude “the moral dimension of these emerging technologies”. The impact of artificial intelligence on relationships and public discourse also features prominently in the text. Spuntoni said the Pope warns against forms of digital communication that undermine truth and human freedom, echoing earlier appeals from the pontiff for technology to remain at the service of authentic human interaction. The encyclical is also expected to address the military use of artificial intelligence. Pope Leo, who has appealed for peace since his election, reportedly insists on the ethical limits that must govern technological development in the defence sector. Nico Spuntoni suggested the Pope also uses the document to defend multilateral cooperation at a time of increasing geopolitical instability and international fragmentation. The encyclical is also likely to reinforce Leo XIV’s growing reputation as a pontiff deeply shaped by the intellectual legacy of St Augustine and Pope Benedict XVI. Spuntoni noted that the document revisits themes explored by Benedict in Spe Salvi , particularly the danger of mankind placing excessive faith in its own power and technological capability. According to Spuntoni, the Pope rejects the idea that Catholic social teaching is merely sociological or political, instead presenting it as something rooted directly in Christ and the Gospel. Ultimately, the encyclical does not condemn artificial intelligence itself, but instead seeks to direct technological development towards the service of humanity and the common good. In doing so, according to Spuntoni, the Pope expresses hope that mankind can still place technological progress at the service of human dignity rather than allow it to diminish or replace it. The topic of the text is as expected. The Pope’s choice of name and subsequent comments on artificial intelligence made it almost certain that this would be the theme of his first encyclical. The antimilitarist stance is also not surprising. However, the succinct way in which the pontiff has drawn together two major themes of his pontificate is characteristic of both the diplomatic ability and quiet confidence he has exuded since taking office. JD Vance has already said that he is “looking forward to reading” Magnifica Humanitatis, and it is likely that the text will prove influential on the world stage. By linking war with the topic of AI, the Pope has adeptly given world leaders a way to discuss the need for restraint in conflict without stoking partisan tensions. The full text will be presented tomorrow at 11.30am in the Vatican’s Synod Hall. It will be signed on 15 May, matching the date of the signing and publication of Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII’s best-known encyclical, issued on 15 May 1891. The same date was also chosen in 1931 by Pope Pius XI for Quadragesimo Anno, which developed the Church’s teaching on social order and introduced the principle of subsidiarity. Thirty years later, on 15 May 1961, Pope John XXIII promulgated Mater et Magistra, focusing on economic justice and social development. The date of release, 25 May, also coincides with Pope John Paul II’s Ut Unum Sint, on ecumenism, which was released on 25 May 1995, and Pope Leo XIII’s Annum Sacrum, released on 25 May 1899, which consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Vatican and the United States Embassy to the Holy See have issued clarifications after Iranian media reports claimed Pope Leo XIV had personally granted a special honour to Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See The Vatican and the United States Embassy to the Holy See have both issued clarifications after Iranian media reports claimed that Pope Leo XIV had personally granted a special honour to Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See. Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Iranian ambassador, was among 13 diplomats who received the Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX during a ceremony held in the Vatican on May 12 for ambassadors who had completed at least two years of service accredited to the Holy See. Iranian state-linked outlets described the award as a significant gesture by the Pope towards Tehran, with some reports claiming the distinction recognised the ambassador’s efforts “to promote messages of peace, justice, and opposition to warmongering”. Iranian press suggested that “the award and the pope’s denunciation of the aggression are closely linked to the ongoing efforts of the Iranian embassy at the Vatican to promote messages of peace, justice, and opposition to warmongering”. The reports prompted criticism on social media and led to public clarification from both the Vatican and the American diplomatic mission to the Holy See. In a statement published online, the United States Embassy to the Holy See said: “Contrary to some reports, Pope Leo has not bestowed an exclusive special honour on the Iranian Ambassador to the Holy See. This decoration is given to all accredited ambassadors to the Holy See after 2+ years of service and has been standard practice for many years.” The Holy See press office confirmed the same account in comments to journalists, stating that the honour “is an award bestowed upon ambassadors after two years of service at the Holy See”. The Vatican added: “Yesterday, the Sostituto presented it to 13 ambassadors, including Iran’s ambassador.” The ceremony took place on the anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election and was presided over by Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the substitute for general affairs of the Secretariat of State (Sostituto), who presented the insignia and official parchments to the diplomats. The certificates accompanying the awards were signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. The Order of Pius IX, also known as the Pian Order, is one of the principal papal orders of knighthood and is regularly conferred upon heads of state, royalty and ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. Although the Supreme Order of Christ and the Order of the Golden Spur formally rank above it, both honours have effectively fallen dormant. In practical diplomatic terms, the Order of Pius IX is regarded as the Holy See’s highest active distinction. The order was restored by Blessed Pius IX in 1847, though its origins date back to the 16th century under Pope Pius IV. Recent recipients have included King Charles III, who received the honour during his visit to the Vatican, as well as King Juan Carlos I of Spain, King Albert II of Belgium and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Recipients of the Grand Cross wear a dark blue sash edged in red, together with a silver breast star bearing the insignia of the order. The original members of the order historically formed part of the papal lay court and accompanied the pope in ceremonial and official duties within the Apostolic Palace.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV and senior Vatican officials on Thursday after weeks of tensions between Washington and the Holy See. The Vatican said the talks were “cordial” and focused on conflicts, humanitarian crises and peace efforts US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday amid growing tensions between Washington and the Holy See. Secretary Rubio was received by the Pope in the Apostolic Palace during a visit to Rome that also included meetings with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. A statement issued afterwards by the Holy See Press Office said the talks had been “cordial” and that both sides had reaffirmed their “shared commitment to fostering sound bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America”. The Vatican said views had been exchanged “regarding situations on the regional and international levels, with particular attention given to countries experiencing war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace”. Holy See officials later indicated that discussions included conflicts and instability affecting parts of the Middle East and Africa, with particular reference to Lebanon and Iran. The situation in Cuba was also raised during the meetings. Ahead of the visit, Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, had signalled that difficult issues would be discussed openly during Mr Rubio’s time in the Vatican. Speaking to journalists on May 6, the Cardinal Secretary of State said: “We will listen to him, the initiative came from them. We will speak about everything that has happened in these days. We could not fail to touch on these topics.” He said the discussions would concern “international politics and above all conflicts”, including Latin America and “probably also the question of Cuba … all those that are the most pressing issues”. Cardinal Parolin also stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue with Washington despite recent disagreements between senior figures in the United States and the Holy See. “One cannot do without the United States,” His Eminence said. “Despite some difficulties occurring, they certainly remain an interlocutor for the Holy See. Also because they have a role in almost all the situations we are experiencing today.” The cardinal was also asked about criticism directed at Pope Leo XIV by allies of President Trump in recent weeks following papal comments on international diplomacy and war. “To attack him in this way or to reproach what he does seems a bit strange to me,” Cardinal Parolin said, before adding: “The Pope does what he must do: the Pope is the Pope.” Asked whether he relied more upon Mr Rubio or President Trump, the cardinal replied: “Me? I do not rely on anyone. I rely only on Our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Vatican Secretary of State also reiterated the Holy See’s longstanding position on diplomacy and nuclear disarmament, saying the Church continued to favour the resolution of conflicts “through negotiation … of good will, sincere, so that all parties can express their point of view and find points of convergence”. He added that the Pope remained “open to all options” for dialogue, including with President Trump himself. After the meeting, the United States also issued its own account of the discussions through the State Department and the American embassy to the Holy See. According to a statement attributed to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, Mr Rubio and Cardinal Parolin discussed “mutual cooperation and pressing international issues”. The statement said the Secretary of State welcomed the recent arrival of Archbishop Christophe Pierre Caccia as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States and that both sides reviewed “ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Western Hemisphere and efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East”. It added that the discussions reflected “the enduring partnership between the United States and the Holy See in advancing religious freedom”. A separate message posted by the United States embassy to the Holy See said Mr Rubio had met Pope Leo XIV “to discuss the situation in the Middle East and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere”. Another embassy statement issued before the visit said Washington was looking forward to “further strengthen[ing] the relationship between the United States and the Holy See”.