The Vatican, where even 'tariff threats' don't work... Will Rubio's 'reconciliation mission' succeed?

The Vatican, where even 'tariff threats' don't work... Will Rubio's 'reconciliation mission' succeed?

Pope to meet with US Secretary Rubio

Vatican Secretary of State: "The US 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 relations between the United States and the Vatican, which became entangled after U.S. President Donald Trump harshly criticized the Pope for urging an end to the war, can be restored.

According to local ANSA news agency and others, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, met with reporters the previous day and said, "The United States is, 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 Vatican's diplomatic relations, and the Secretary of State is second only to the Pope in rank.

Cardinal Parolin's remarks were interpreted as the Holy See's intention to continue dialogue with the United States despite President Trump's continued unreasonable 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.'

While the Vatican expressed its willingness to dialogue with respect for the other party ahead of the Pope's audience with Secretary Rubio, 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 Vatican is free from the tariff card, which the Trump administration uses as a tool for diplomatic pressure. It does not heavily rely on U.S. economic aid, and direct or indirect diplomatic, military, or political pressure 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 United States 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, "One must engage with the Vatican rationally."

Some also observe that Secretary Rubio may request the Vatican'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 to Cuba through the Catholic Church.