Associated Press
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
Francis, who is recovering from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia, received Vance in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where he lives. The 88-year-old pope offered the Catholic vice president three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children, who did not attend, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the pope. “Thank you for seeing me.”
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 the vice president “expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for inviting him to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality the Vatican has extended to his family.”
“I pray for you every day,” Vance said as he bid Francis farewell. “God bless you.”
In all, Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes. The vice president later 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.
Just days 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.”
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. It has expressed alarm over the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in international aid while insisting on peaceful resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
8 comments
A Day Without MAGA Losing Their Mind And Money
April 20, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Christian are been persecuted by the White Spiteful Devil Trump,as far Jesus never had a relationship with White Spiteful people in general,why lots of them try to make one up, Jesus only ministered to Jews,
Michael K
April 20, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Just another cheap photo op. Vance pays no attention to what the pope says. Francis called the Trump immigration actions a “disgrace” and he disputed Vance’s interpretation of Catholic teaching on the subject.
This is what the Pope wrote – as read at Easter by a bishop to the world:
“How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants,” Ravelli read, without mentioning a country or person. “I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death.”
Foghorn Leghorn
April 20, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Ask the people that live in Italy what their stance is on immigration? Hell ask most of the European’s that live there what they think of immigration? Then there is Pelosi and Biden with their photo ops. Hypocrite Catholics, the both of them.
A Day Without MAGA Losing Their Mind And Money
April 20, 2025 at 3:21 pm
The Mafia also.live in Italia
JD
April 21, 2025 at 9:39 am
The comment from Foghorn Leghorn is Propaganda because it is:
1.) Emotional
2.) Divisive
3.) Not factual
This is a public service announcement. Thank you.
Paul Passarelli
April 20, 2025 at 3:17 pm
The article states: “Francis blasted the deportation plans, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. ”
I’ve got news. When people abandon their country en masse for greener pastures, they’ve left their dignity at the border.
Remember the poem on the statue of Liberty was a fundraiser, it’s not part of the US Constitution.
And the issue is not that of immigrants seeking a better life, lawfully, orderly, by the rules. The deportations are about *CRIMINALS* those that have violated immigration law, ILLEGAL ALIENS.
The Pope site behind walls & gates. The Vatican won’t even allow a woman that looks pregnant to cross the threshold just in case she were to go into labor and a child might be born on Vatican soil and claim Vatican citizenship! The Pope doesn’t get to lecture governments.
JD
April 21, 2025 at 10:32 am
Saying migrants “leave their dignity at the border” is false and dehumanizing. Human dignity is inherent. It does not disappear because someone flees violence, poverty, or instability. In fact, seeking a better life often preserves dignity against impossible odds.
The poem on the Statue of Liberty (“The New Colossus”) may have been part of a fundraiser, but it became an enduring national symbol. America’s identity has long celebrated welcoming the “tired, poor, huddled masses.” That spirit shaped immigration policy and public sentiment for generations, even if it is not codified in the Constitution.
Deportations often target people whose only “crime” is administrative, such as crossing without authorization or overstaying a visa, not violent crime. Calling all undocumented migrants “criminals” conflates administrative violations with serious offenses and misleads the conversation.
As for the Vatican, yes it has walls, but they were built centuries ago to defend against armies, not civilians. Today, Vatican City accepts migrants through Church-sponsored programs and regularly resettles refugees. Citizenship in the Vatican is not based on birthright. It is granted only to those serving the Vatican, such as Church officials or Swiss Guards. Even if a woman gave birth inside Vatican walls, her child would not become a citizen. The “pregnant woman” claim is simply misinformation.
Pope Francis’s message was not about enforcing lawlessness. It was a moral reminder that even when enforcing laws, governments must respect human dignity. Compassion and border security are not mutually exclusive.
Michael K
April 21, 2025 at 7:26 am
The photo- op meeting sadly took its toll. In reading Francis’ obituary, I’m struck by his lifelong efforts to be inclusive, to embrace more diverse people, leaders and perspectives, and his unwavering commitments to justice, equity and love, with true humility. I hope the next pope continues to build bridges, not walls.
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