US vice president meets Pope Francis, Vatican officials

Apr 25, 2025

VATICAN: On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis held a brief private meeting with US vice-president J.D. Vance at the Casa Santa Marta.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the meeting lasted only a few minutes and provided the opportunity to exchange Easter greetings in a warm and cordial tone. During the brief encounter, the Pope presented Vance with several gifts, including a Vatican tie, a red rosary for the vice president, white rosaries for his children, and a separate white rosary for his wife. The family also received a set of three large chocolate Easter eggs.

The visit followed a formal meeting the day prior between Vice President Vance and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, along with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. In that meeting, the parties discussed the international landscape, focusing on the defence of religious freedom and freedom of conscience, as well as humanitarian concerns including migration, the plight of refugees, and the treatment of prisoners in war-torn regions.

Both sides affirmed their shared commitment to promoting human dignity and continuing positive collaboration between the US government and the Catholic Church in America.

As part of his visit to Rome, Vice President Vance attended the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday evening at St Peter’s Basilica with his wife and three children. --Agencies