Pope Francis and Vice President JD Vance met briefly in Casa Santa Malta on Easter Sunday, the Office of the Holy House of Councillors confirmed.
“I know you didn’t feel good, but it’s good to see you in a better health,” Vance told the Pope in a video shared by Vatican media. “Thank you for meeting me.”
Francis, 88, is still recovering from a match that is close to pneumonia, receiving his Vance in one of the response rooms at the Vatican hotel where he lives. The Pope provided the Catholic Vice President with three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children.
Vance’s car was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes, according to the Associated Press.
Pope Francis visits Roman prisons on Holy Week
Pope Francis appeared at the central lodge of St. Peter’s Cathedral and awarded the blessing of Urbiet Orbi (Latin to the cities and the world) at the end of Easter Mass, and was predominantly dived by the Angelo Comastri Cardinal of St. Peter Square, Vatican, on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Francis and Vance are keenly intertwined with the Trump administration’s plan to expel immigrants and immigrants on a massive scale.
“There was a heartfelt conversation,” the media release said. “In the meantime, our common commitment to protecting our right to freedom of religion and freedom of conscience has been renewed.”
“There was also exchange of opinions on the international situation, with attention focused on migrants, refugees and people in prisons, particularly regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian circumstances,” he continued.
Pope Francis appears after Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican
Pope Francis receives Vice President JD Vance to the left on Sunday, April 20, 2025 (Vatican Media via AP, HO)
Having cut his workload significantly to recover, Francis has delegated the Easter Mass celebration to another cardinal. Francis made the care of immigrants a hallmark of his pope.
Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019, the Associated Press reports. After his encounter with Francis, he joined the family at Easter Mass at St. Paul outside the wall, one of Rome’s four sacred and refined cathedrals. Vance visited the tomb of the apostle St. Paul, which is said to be there.
Vice President J.D. Vice President J.D. Vance and his family will arrive at Basilica Papalady San Paolofu Olimura (The Cathedral of St. Paul outside the wall) to attend the Easter Mass in Italy on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Vance met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source link