US Secretary of State congratulates Pope on papal election anniversary
John Lavenburg/Crux• March 13, 2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has commended Pope Francis on the 12th anniversary of his election as Pope and offered prayers for the Holy Father’s recovery on behalf of Catholics in the United States.
“On behalf of the people of the United States of America, and during this Jubilee Holy Year, I extend my best wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis on the twelfth anniversary of his election,” Rubio, a Catholic, said in a March 13 statement.
The US secretary of state also highlighted the shared commitment both the United States and the Vatican have in advancing global peace as well as freedom of religion, conscious and speech around the world.
“The United States values its enduring relationship with the Holy See, which is grounded in our shared commitment to advance peace across the globe, promote inter-religious dialogue and protect religious freedom,” Rubio said.
The relationship between the new US administration and Pope Francis has at times been tense since Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, particularly when it comes to the topic of immigration.
Pope Francis has previously stated it would be a “disgrace” for US President Donald Trump to make good on campaign promises to expel undocumented immigrants.
Things have, however, settled of late, especially given the Pope’s health problems, and with Vice President JD Vance recently taking a conciliatory approach regarding the Pope’s criticisms of the Trump administration, while commending the Pope for his leadership and praying for his recovery.
As Pope Francis continues his recovery in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with double pneumonia, Rubio, in his statement on the Holy Father’s election anniversary, focused on the occurrence and themes of the Jubilee year and also on the Catholic population of the United States.
“Pope Francis is in the hearts and prayers of my family and of the more than 50 million Catholics in the United States, as we hope for his continued and swift recovery,” Rubio said, adding that “on this Jubilee, with its message of hope and unity, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a peaceful celebration”.
Rubio’s comments follow the US President and First Lady unexpectedly issuing a Lenten message for Catholics and other Christians.
“This Ash Wednesday, we join in prayer with the tens of millions of American Catholics and other Christians beginning the holy season of Lent – a time of spiritual anticipation of the passion, death and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,” the joint message issued on March 5 stated on the White House website.
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Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie, Canada, 13 March 2025. (Photo by Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images.)