“At the end, it was a very cordial and important meeting, and it’s important to share our points of view and explanation and understanding of where we’re coming from, and I thought it was very positive,” Rubio added.
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In a statement, the Vatican said that a “shared commitment to fostering good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America was renewed.”
“There was also an exchange of views on the regional and international situation,” the statement added, “with particular attention to countries affected by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian conditions, as well as on the need to work tirelessly in favor of peace.”
When asked to comment on Rubio’s trip to the Vatican and the Vatican’s subsequent statement, Robert Jeffress said that it was “commendable that the Trump administration is meeting with the pope and trying to work with the pope.”
“The pope is a good man,” Jeffress added. “He’s sincere in his faith. But he is sincerely wrong when it comes to Iran.”
“The pope ought to know—and I think he does know—God created both the church and government for two distinct purposes,” Jeffress continued. “The role of the church is to point people to faith in Jesus Christ, but the role of government is to protect citizens from evildoers, according to Romans 13.”
Jeffress claimed that, prior to the United States’ strike on Iran, Iran “was within weeks of getting a powerful weapon that would destroy Israel, much of the Middle East, that could bring great harm to America.”
While these reports have been the subject of dispute, Jeffress said Trump “had no choice” but to launch a military operation.
“And I thanked him then for having the courage to fulfill his God-given responsibility to protect our nation,” said Jeffress. “And, you know, the great irony is it looks like President Trump has a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about the role of government than the pope has.”
“And I’m glad the president hasn’t backed down at all,” Jeffress said.
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