In brief
The historic talks underline the evolving relationship between the Vatican and American political figures amidst shared themes of religious freedom and humanitarian concern.
Pope Leo XIV recently held "cordial" discussions with US Vice-President JD Vance at the Vatican. This meeting took place a day after Vance, a practicing Catholic, participated in the Pope's inaugural Mass on Sunday, marking a significant collaboration between church and state. Following his historic elevation as the first American Pope earlier this month, Leo XIV previously hinted at critiques of Vance's and the Trump administration's stances on migration.According to a statement from the Vatican, both parties expressed satisfaction with the current state of US-Vatican relations during their 45-minute closed-door meeting. Topics included religious freedom, collaboration between governmental and ecclesiastical institutions, and ongoing international challenges. Notably, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also contributed to the discussions. The Vatican's statement reflected a unified stance on the necessity of upholding humanitarian laws in conflict areas and promoting negotiated resolutions. Following their meeting, Vance's spokesperson confirmed that he also engaged positively with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, who oversees the Holy See's diplomatic affairs. Previously in February, an X account linked to Pope Leo had publicly criticized the administration's intentions regarding the mass deportation of migrants and included an article arguing against Vance's views. As the meeting concluded, Vance expressed pride in the Chicago-born pontiff and extended his prayers for Leo's new responsibilities.
