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By Joe Edwards
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Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis on Sunday morning in a brief private meeting.
It followed a summit with Vatican officials on Saturday—but not the pope himself until now—which had prompted some to suggest the vice president had been "snubbed" by the head of the Catholic Church.
Why It Matters
The meeting comes amid tension between President Donald Trump's administration and the Vatican. The head of the Catholic Church has criticized the president's stance on immigration in the past.
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What To Know
Vance has been spending the Easter weekend in Rome with his family, and attended Good Friday services in St. Peter's Basilica after meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, The Associated Press reported.
Vance met with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher in the Apostolic Palace on Saturday.
According to the vice president's office, Vance and Parolin "discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trump's commitment to restoring world peace." Vance was baptized into the Catholic Church in 2019.
Francis was not present at the meeting, and his appearances have been scaled back following serious health concerns. The pope was hospitalized earlier this year due to bilateral pneumonia.
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The Vatican said in a statement there was an "exchange of opinions" between its officials and Vance at Saturday's meeting.
"There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation," it read, "especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners."
Prior to his hospitalization, Francis had been critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies. Last year, the pope drew the ire of some MAGA Republicans after saying it was "madness" for the U.S. to close its borders to migrants.
What People Are Saying
Democratic strategist and former senior adviser to former Vice President Kamala Harris said on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday: "Pope Francis snubbed JD Vance and sent someone else to lecture the VP on immigration. Damn."
Journalist Simon Ateba said on X: "Are you bothered by reports claiming Pope Francis reportedly snubbed VP Vance's official visit and sent his deputy to deliver a sermon on immigration, kindness and having a soul?"
What Happens Next
Vance is next set to travel to India where he will reportedly meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and geopolitical ties.
Update, 4/20/2025, 9:10 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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