EYE-ON-USA: Quiet Diplomatic Engagement as JD Vance Holds Private Audience with Pope Francis

By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 20 April, 2025

There was a brief but symbolic meeting between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Pope Francis on Easter Sunday. The meeting in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where he lives is notable for both its timing and tone, especially given their previously tense long-distance exchange over U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration.

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Many religious and political commentators suggest the meeting is more of gesture of goodwill amid policy differences. But despite the ideological and political disagreements—particularly on immigration—the meeting appears to have been cordial. Vance’s respectful remarks about the Pope’s health and the Pope’s gesture of gifting chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children and rosaries suggest an effort to maintain mutual respect between spiritual and political leaders.

During the visit, Vance said, “I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health. Thank you for seeing me.”

One notable takeaway from the meeting was intersection of politics and religion. The fact that Pope Francis, at 88 and recovering from pneumonia, made time for the meeting—while delegating the Easter Mass to another cardinal—shows the significance of maintaining diplomatic and symbolic ties with global leaders, even those with whom the Vatican may disagree.

Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City through a side gate while Easter Mass was being celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. Francis had delegated the celebration of the Mass to another cardinal.

The Vatican said they met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.” Vance’s office said that they met but provided no further details. In all, Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes.

So, it seems that the meeting was more of symbolism than substance. A short duration just 17 minutes and limited content released suggest this was more a ceremonial or diplomatic courtesy than a substantive policy discussion. However, the optics of a Catholic U.S. vice president meeting the Pope on Easter Sunday are powerful, especially for American and global Catholic audiences.

Well, this seems to be quiet diplomacy in plain view. While no official details beyond the greeting were disclosed, such meetings often serve as a quiet channel for behind-the-scenes dialogue. It’s possible sensitive topics were deliberately left off the public record.

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Later Vance joined his family for Easter Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four pontifical basilicas in Rome. The Vances visited the tomb of the apostle St. Paul that is said to be located there.

Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and the pope have tangled sharply over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. Francis has made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy.

Before he was hospitalized in February, Francis blasted the deportation plans, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. In a letter to U.S. bishops, Francis also appeared to respond to Vance directly for having claimed that Catholic doctrine justified such policies.

Vance has acknowledged Francis’ criticism but has said he will continue to defend his views. During a Feb. 28 appearance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance didn’t address the issue specifically but called himself a “baby Catholic” and acknowledged there are “things about the faith that I don’t know.”

Vance met Saturday with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Vance’s office said he 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.”

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The Vatican, for its part, said there was an “exchange of opinions” including over migrants and refugees and current conflicts.

The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration while seeking to continue productive relations in keeping with its tradition of diplomatic neutrality.

Note: Wire sources and Newsmax.