VATICAN CITY — U.S. Vice President JD Vance had a brief meeting with Pope Francis on Sunday, exchanging Easter greetings amid previous tensions regarding the Trump administration’s migrant deportation policies. The meeting took place in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where Pope Francis resides as he recovers from a serious episode of pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff presented Vance with three large chocolate Easter eggs for his children, alongside a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I’m glad to see you recovering well,” Vance remarked to the pope. “Thank you for taking the time to see me.” While Easter Mass was ongoing in St. Peter’s Square, Vance made his way into Vatican City through a side entrance, as Pope Francis had delegated the Mass celebration to another cardinal.
The Vatican highlighted that the brief encounter at the Domus Santa Marta was a gesture to share Easter blessings. Vance’s office expressed his thankfulness to the pope for the Easter Sunday invitation and the hospitality extended to his family. “I pray for you daily,” Vance said as he took his leave from Francis, adding, “God bless you.”
The entire duration of Vance’s presence within the Vatican precincts was 17 minutes. Following the meeting, Vance reunited with his family to attend Easter Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s renowned pontifical basilicas. There, they also visited the tomb attributed to the apostle St. Paul.
Their previous disagreements have been rooted in differing perspectives on migration, specifically regarding the mass deportation plans pushed by the Trump administration. Pope Francis has been an outspoken advocate for migrant rights and highlighted migrants’ dignity just days before his hospitalization in February. He communicated his concerns about the deportation plans and addressed Vance’s assertion that Catholic beliefs justified such policies.
While Vance has taken note of the pope’s criticism, he has stated his commitment to his stance. During a February appearance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance, who became Catholic in 2019, admitted there were still many aspects of the faith he was learning about.
On Saturday, Vance met with the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. Discussions with Parolin touched upon their shared Catholic faith, the state of Catholicism in the U.S., issues facing persecuted Christian communities globally, and President Trump’s ambitions for global peace restoration.
The Vatican’s statement on the meeting emphasized an “exchange of opinions,” particularly relating to migration and current global conflicts. As it strives to maintain diplomatic neutrality, the Holy See has responded moderately to the Trump administration, voicing concerns on the stringent migrant policies and international aid reductions, while calling for peaceful resolutions in conflict zones like Ukraine and Gaza.