US secretary of state Marco Rubio to have ‘frank’ conversation with the pope – Europe live

The meeting will take place after Donald Trump carried out an unprecedented broadside against the pontiff

US secretary of state Marco Rubio expects a “frank” meeting with Pope Leo during a visit to the Vatican this week, the US ambassador said, after president Donald Trump took a fresh pot-shot at the pope for criticising the US war in Iran.

“Nations have disagreements, and I think one of the ways that you work through those is ... through fraternity and authentic dialogue,” said Brian Burch, the US ambassador to the Holy See, in comments reported by Reuters.