Pope Francis Meets Vice President JD Vance on Easter Morning

VATICAN CITY, April 20 (Reuters) – Pope Francis held a private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday morning at the Vatican. The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, was intended for both leaders to exchange Easter greetings, according to a statement from the Vatican.

During this brief encounter, Vance, a Catholic, met the pontiff at his residence. Despite previous clashes over immigration policies during the Trump administration, both leaders shared cordial wishes for the holiday. The Vatican’s statement emphasized the nature of their encounter as a moment for goodwill.

Following the meeting, Pope Francis addressed crowds in St. Peter’s Square from his open-air popemobile after Easter Mass. Vance’s office confirmed the meeting but did not provide further details.

Earlier that weekend, Vance had been visiting Italy with his family and met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday. However, Pope Francis, who is currently recovering from health issues, did not participate in those discussions.

The pontiff has previously criticized several policies from the Trump administration, especially regarding immigration and cuts to foreign aid and welfare programs. He referred to the administration’s immigration crackdown as a “major crisis” for the United States.

Conversely, Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, has invoked medieval Catholic teaching to support stricter immigration policies. This theological approach has sparked disagreements with the Pope, who rebuked Vance’s interpretations during a recent address to the U.S. Catholic bishops.

This Easter meeting signifies ongoing dialogue between the Vatican and U.S. officials, despite past disagreements. It highlights the complexities of the relationship as both parties navigate their differing views on critical issues.