ROME, Italy (AFP) — United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday he had a “very good meeting” with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican after President Donald Trump’s criticism of the pontiff’s anti-war stance.

Rubio told reporters they had discussed areas of joint interest, including religious freedom and the threat posed by Iran, adding: “It’s important to share our points of view and an explanation and an understanding of where we’re coming from. And I thought it was very positive.”