Vice President Vance Meets Vatican Officials Amid Immigration Tensions

VATICAN CITY, April 19, 2025 — U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday for discussions focusing on immigration and international conflicts, marking a significant moment in the fraught relationship between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church. This meeting came during Vance’s Easter weekend visit to Rome with his family.

During the discussions, which included Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the foreign minister, the two sides engaged in what the Vatican described as an “exchange of opinions.” Topics of concern included the humanitarian situations in war-torn regions, particularly regarding migrants and refugees.

The Vatican released a statement after the meeting, noting that the discussions were cordial and emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The Holy See expressed alarm over the U.S. administration’s approach to immigration under President Donald Trump, critiquing recent policies that have significantly restricted asylum and relief programs.

“There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations,” the statement said. “Hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the state and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.”

Notably, the Vatican’s acknowledgment of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of religion and conscience highlights the delicate balance in their ongoing negotiations. This relationship has been tested by Vance’s provocative assertions that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been resettling “illegal immigrants” for federal funding, a claim that senior U.S. cardinals have strongly refuted.

Cardinal Parolin, speaking to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica ahead of the meeting, remarked that the current U.S. administration represents a stark departure from past engagements with the Vatican. He pointed out the need for dialogue and mutual respect in addressing these significant global challenges.

As discussions unfolded, Vance shared that he and Parolin covered a range of subjects, including issues faced by persecuted Christian communities and President Trump’s broader commitment to global peace. Vance’s visit included attendance at Good Friday services at St. Peter’s Basilica, but there was no confirmation of a meeting with Pope Francis, who is currently recovering from pneumonia.

Pope Francis’s viewpoints on immigration sharply contrast with the Trump administration’s policies. In recent statements, Francis has condemned the U.S. immigration crackdown and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to upholding the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. In a February letter to U.S. bishops, he dismissed Vance’s theological justifications for strict immigration controls, emphasizing that true Christian love must extend to all and cannot be based on a selective hierarchy of care.

Following this exchange, Vance has committed to continuing his defense of the administration’s policies. During a recent speech at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, he described himself as a “baby Catholic” and acknowledged his ongoing journey in faith, hinting at the complexities within the faith-driven discourse surrounding immigration.

Vance’s Easter weekend in Rome featured family outings, including a private tour of the Sistine Chapel following the meeting with Vatican officials. As the Vice President concluded his visit, the outcome of the discussions remains to be seen, but both sides acknowledged the importance of dialogue amidst their differences.