Marco Rubio Gave Pope Leo a... Crystal Football?! (w/ Katie McGrady) - The Bulwark

[ihaveaquestion]

May 9, 2026 Bulwark Takes
JVL is joined by SiriusXM's The Catholic Channel host Katie McGrady to break down one of the strangest diplomatic moments of the year: Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and gifting him a crystal football paperweight. They unpack the awkward exchange, why the Trump administration seems uneasy with the first American pope, and how previous presidents and diplomats handled papal gifts with a lot more thought.

[rampartd]

1. "the man who has everything"

trump wants to get micaelangelo to paint his ceiling in the ball room.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. He probably stole it off some Mickey Mouse trophy he saw while wandering around in the White House.

[ColoringFool]

3. It's An Insult Because It Shows Trump Regards The Pope As Just Some American.

[Srkdqltr]

4. Who are these people? So ugly. ... not the Pope. The guy and woman on the ends?

[GiqueCee]

5. Hmmm...

... the case carrying the nuclear codes is called the "FOOTBALL".
Can't help but wonder if there's a particularly nasty subtext under that "gift". It is, however, awfully subtle for Trump. Bellicose bully that he is, crass, brazen, and in your face is more his style.
It would still be interesting to know who came up with the idea. It was cheesy no matter how you look at it.