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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

The Independent·Brendan Rascius·25 days ago
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A celebratory moment between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and American-born Pope Leo quickly became awkward Thursday when the Pontiff seemed at a loss for words. While standing in the pontiff’s private library overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica , the pair engaged in the time-honored diplomatic tradition of swapping gifts. Leo presented Rubio with an olive branch encased in wood and emblazoned with the pontificate’s coat of arms, describing it as “the plant of peace.” It seemed to be a not-so-subtle nod to his rift with President Donald Trump over the Iran war. When it was his turn, the secretary of state handed the Bishop of Rome something a touch more whimsical: a palm-sized crystal football. Betraying little emotion, Leo simply responded: “Wow, OK.” “What to get someone who has everything, I thought,” Rubio said, while clutching the small sporting keepsake. During their Vatican meeting, Pope Leo and Secretary of State Marco Rubio exchanged gifts.…

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