The Secretary of State's unusual appearance, why did Marco Rubio appear with a cross on his forehead?

With a cross on his forehead, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared in an interview with Fox News to talk about developments regarding Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East and President Trump's speech to Congress.

The US Secretary of State appeared with a cross on his forehead on Ash Wednesday for many Catholic Christians.

On this day in some countries, believers form a cross on their foreheads with the ashes from the previous year's Palm Sunday that have been sanctified with a blessing.

This is the first day of Lent, where believers fast from meat.

Ash Wednesday is celebrated by Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans (Episcopalians), and United Protestants, as well as some Calvinist churches.

This day has special significance in the Christian calendar, being considered a time of reflection and repentance for Christians around the world.

Rubio's image sparked several comments on X, with some declaring themselves proud of the US Secretary of State, others accusing him of "propaganda" in favor of Russia, others talking about a religious war, and still others writing that "our parents painted crosses on our heads when we were bad kids."