Vatican Vity: Pope Francis met privately with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at his Vatican residence on Easter Sunday, in a brief but notable exchange between the pontiff and one of Donald Trump’s most prominent allies.
According to a Vatican statement, the encounter took place in the morning and lasted only a few minutes, intended solely for the traditional exchange of Easter greetings. “Pope Francis had a brief private encounter … lasting a few minutes, in order to exchange good wishes on Easter day,” the statement noted.
Vance, a practicing Catholic who converted in 2019, has previously clashed with the pope over several policies enacted during the Trump administration, particularly on immigration. Despite this history, the tone of the Easter meeting appeared cordial, with no official details beyond the acknowledgment of their interaction.
Following Easter Mass, Pope Francis—who continues to recover from double pneumonia—made a public appearance in St. Peter’s Square. Seated in his open-air popemobile, the 88-year-old pontiff greeted a cheering crowd of faithful gathered for the Easter celebration, marking a significant return to public visibility after recent health concerns.
Vance’s office confirmed the meeting with the pope but did not elaborate on the contents of their discussion. The vice president spent the Easter weekend in Italy with his family and held more formal talks with senior Vatican officials on Saturday. Pope Francis did not attend those meetings due to his limited schedule under medical advice.
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Tensions between Pope Francis and the Trump administration have surfaced in the past, particularly concerning immigration and social welfare. The pontiff has openly criticized policies aimed at mass deportations and cuts to both foreign aid and domestic welfare. He once described the U.S. immigration crackdown as a “disgrace,” drawing theological lines between Catholic doctrine and political policy.
Vance, in contrast, has invoked medieval Catholic teachings to justify stricter immigration control, a stance that prompted a rare response from Pope Francis. In February, the pontiff issued an open letter to U.S. Catholic bishops, denouncing the theological defense of the Trump administration’s approach and labeling it a “major crisis” for the nation.
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While Sunday’s meeting may have been brief and symbolic, it underscored ongoing ideological differences between the Vatican and elements of the U.S. political establishment, even as both parties engaged in a gesture of Easter goodwill.
