On Sunday, April 20, 2025, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis at the Vatican to exchange Easter greetings. This meeting, which took place in the papal residence shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time, marked the first time a U.S. vice president had met with the Pope since 2020, during the Trump administration.
Vance's visit to Vatican City came amid a backdrop of previous disagreements between him and Pope Francis regarding the Trump administration's controversial plans to deport migrants. The Vice President's motorcade entered Vatican City and parked near the hotel where Pope Francis resides, allowing for a quick exchange of pleasantries, despite the tension surrounding their differing views on immigration.
During the meeting, which lasted only a few minutes, the Pope, who has been recovering from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia, greeted Vance warmly. The pontiff, seated in a wheelchair, presented Vance with a Vatican tie, rosaries, and Easter eggs for each of Vance's three children. Vance expressed his happiness to see the Pope in better health, saying, "I know you haven't been feeling well, but I'm glad to see you doing better. Thank you for having me."
Earlier in the day, Pope Francis had delegated the celebration of Easter Mass to a cardinal, as he continues to recuperate from his health issues. He made a brief appearance in St. Peter's Square later, addressing a crowd of about 35,000 people who had gathered to celebrate Easter. Despite his frail condition, the Pope managed to convey a heartfelt "¡Feliz Pascua!" to the faithful.
Pope Francis's Easter message, delivered by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, focused on the plight of the vulnerable, including migrants and refugees. The Pope condemned the "worrisome" rise of antisemitism and called attention to the "deplorable" situation in Gaza. His message urged political leaders not to succumb to fear but to use available resources to help those in need, combat hunger, and promote development initiatives.
The Vatican had described the previous day's meeting between Vance and Vatican officials, including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as "cordial." They discussed shared religious faith, the situation of persecuted Christian communities, and President Trump's commitment to restoring world peace. However, the topic of immigration, which has been a contentious issue, was not specifically mentioned in Vance's office's account of the meeting.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, has acknowledged the Pope's criticisms of the Trump administration's immigration policies. Just before his meeting with the Pope, he had referred to himself as a "católico bebé" during an appearance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, indicating his ongoing journey in faith and understanding of Catholic doctrine.
Despite the disagreements, Vance has maintained his positions on immigration, stating that he will continue to advocate for his views. The meeting with Pope Francis highlights the ongoing dialogue between the U.S. administration and the Vatican, particularly concerning humanitarian issues like migration.
After their brief encounter, the Vice President and his family attended the Easter Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, further emphasizing the significance of the occasion. Vance's trip to Rome included meetings with other high-ranking officials, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as he participated in various work and leisure activities with his family.
Pope Francis, now 88 years old, has been a vocal advocate for migrants and has often criticized policies that he believes undermine their dignity. This has included strong statements against the Trump administration's approach to immigration, which he warned could strip migrants of their inherent dignity. His commitment to this cause has been a defining characteristic of his papacy.
While the Pope's health continues to improve, his recent hospitalization has limited his public engagements during Holy Week. This year marked a significant moment as, for the first time since his election in 2013, he missed many Holy Week events, including the Good Friday Via Crucis at the Colosseum and the Easter Vigil. However, he made a brief appearance on Saturday, where he prayed and distributed sweets to children present in the basilica.
The Easter celebrations this year were particularly special, coinciding with the same weekend for Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians, who follow different calendars. This unity among Christian denominations added a layer of significance to the festivities.
Overall, the meeting between Vice President Vance and Pope Francis on Easter Sunday serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between faith and politics, especially in the context of humanitarian issues like migration. As both figures continue to navigate their respective roles, the dialogue between them may evolve, reflecting the changing landscape of political and religious discourse.
