Vatican City (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings, following a previous disagreement over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
The 88-year-old pope, who is recovering from a recent serious bout of pneumonia, welcomed Vance in one of the Vatican hotel’s reception rooms. During the meeting, Pope Francis gifted three large chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children, along with a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I know you’ve not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance remarked. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City via a side gate as Easter Mass took place in St. Peter’s Square. The pope had delegated the Mass to another cardinal, due to his recovery. According to the Vatican, the meeting lasted only a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta, where they exchanged Easter greetings.
Vance’s office said the vice president expressed gratitude to the pope for inviting him and for the hospitality extended to his family during the meeting.
“I pray for you every day,” Vance said as he departed. “God bless you.”
The motorcade spent a brief 17 minutes within Vatican territory before Vance joined his family at St. Paul Outside the Walls for Easter Mass. The family also visited the tomb of St. Paul, one of Christianity’s most important sites.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Pope Francis have had public disagreements over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly regarding the mass deportation of migrants. Pope Francis has long advocated for the protection of migrants’ dignity, while Vance has defended the policies despite criticism from the pontiff.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis condemned the deportation plans, calling them a violation of migrants’ inherent dignity. He also responded to Vance’s claims that Catholic doctrine supported such measures. Although Vance acknowledged the pope’s criticisms, he maintained his stance on the issue.
During his visit, Vance also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister. Vance’s office said the discussion focused on their shared Catholic faith, the challenges faced by persecuted Christian communities worldwide, and President Trump’s dedication to promoting world peace.
The Vatican, in its neutral diplomatic tradition, has carefully navigated its relationship with the Trump administration, expressing concern over its immigration policies while advocating for peaceful solutions to global conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza.