Vice President JD Vance had a brief meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City on Easter Sunday. This visit came as the pope was recovering from a serious case of pneumonia. Vance, who is Catholic, was in Rome to meet with Italian leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.
During his time at the Vatican, Vance’s motorcade was on the property for less than 20 minutes. In this short visit, Pope Francis presented Vance with several gifts, including a Vatican tie, rosaries, and three chocolate Easter eggs for his children. The Vatican later described the meeting as cordial, noting that they discussed the importance of religious freedom and the current global situation, particularly issues concerning war, political strife, and humanitarian crises, with a focus on migrants and refugees.
Vance’s meeting with the pope highlights the ongoing relationship between the White House and the Catholic Church, especially under the Trump administration. In a speech earlier this year, Vance praised President Trump for being supportive of Catholics, despite Trump not being a Catholic himself.
This meeting comes after some tension between the Vatican and the Trump administration over immigration policies. Earlier this year, Pope Francis expressed concern about U.S. deportation practices in a letter to American bishops. He emphasized that a well-formed conscience should critique any policies that link illegal immigration to criminality.
Vance had previously suggested a concept called "ordo amoris," or "order of love," to explain his views on prioritizing immigration policies. He argued that individuals should prioritize their love and responsibilities, starting with family and extending outward to their communities and the world.
Overall, this meeting reflects the complex dynamics between faith, politics, and immigration in today’s world, showcasing both cooperation and disagreement on important issues.