Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Brendan Rascius

Marco Rubio’s gift to Pope Leo sparks awkward moment

Marco Rubio Leo XIV Donald Trump
  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, a visit occurring amid strained relations between the White House and the Holy See.
  • During the meeting, an awkward gift exchange took place, with Pope Leo presenting an olive branch and Rubio offering a crystal football.
  • The Vatican confirmed the visit was intended to address the fallout from a prolonged disagreement between Pope Leo and President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing war in Iran.
  • Pope Leo has consistently condemned the Iran conflict, criticizing its origins and Trump's threats, while Trump has publicly derided the Pope's foreign policy views.
  • A recent YouGov survey indicates that 48 percent of Americans align more with Pope Leo's views on the Iran war, compared to 28 percent who agree with Trump.

IN FULL

The Pope gave Marco Rubio an olive branch as a gift. But could only say ‘Wow OK’ when he saw what the US brought him

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
It wasn’t exactly The Devil Wears Prada, but my time working at Vogue in the 90s was preposterous fun
The decline of the glossy magazine industry as depicted in the sequel made me cry – but I shed no tears for how it was back then, says Charlotte Higgins, the Guardian’s chief culture writer
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Before ‘Star Wars’ made him a multimillionaire, Harrison Ford struggled to make ends meet—so he spent 15 years working a trades side-gig
Before Harrison Ford became Han Solo and earned $1,000 a week for the role, he spent 15 years as a woodworker to pay the bills.
Fortune
Fortune
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Defy Breakup Rumours With Frequent Public Sightings in New York City
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are seen in New York City multiple times, defying breakup rumours amid ongoing online speculation.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
‘Water is also a drink’: Waitress mocked customer asking for water at NYC diner, vanished during service, then pushed for preset tip; customer’s final comment left her speechless
A Reddit post about a tense tipping experience at a NYC diner has gone viral after a customer claimed a waitress mocked their water order, vanished during service, and pushed preset tip options during payment. The story has reignited online debate around restaurant etiquette, rude service, and growing frustration with…
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Why Rat And Squirrel Damage Looks Almost Identical
You notice bite marks on a wooden shelf. A damaged wire near the wall Tiny grooves on plastic. Chewed corners behind furniture. And instantly, one thought enters your mind: Rats. But what if the damage was never caused by rats at all? Scientists now say that many homeowners unknowingly confuse…
Times Pets
Times Pets
This IKEA Bookshelf Is the Unlikely Storage Hero of My Tiny NYC Kitchen – It’s Transformed My Space
Seven sleek and spacious shelves line IKEA's LACK Unit – the saving grace for my studio apartment kitchen, with hardly any cabinet space
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play