JD Vance Has ‘Exchange of Opinions’ With Top Vatican Official

Vice President JD Vance met senior Vatican officials for talks that have followed criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policy by Pope Francis.

The Vatican said in a statement that during Saturday’s meeting, there was an “exchange of opinions” between its officials and Vance.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.

Why It Matters

Vance’s meeting was the first in-person talks between the Holy See and the second Trump presidency and comes amid tensions between leaders of the Catholic Church and the Trump administration.

Before he was hospitalized, Pope Francis criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policy and refuted Vance’s use of the theological concept, the “ordo amoris” (“order of love”), to defend the administration’s approach.

Last year, Pope Francis sparked the fury of MAGA Republicans after saying that it was “madness” for the U.S. to close the border to migrants.

What To Know

Vance, a Catholic, was visiting Rome with his family over the Easter weekend and attended a Good Friday service in St. Peter’s Basilica.

He met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister. There has been no confirmation of a meeting with Pope Francis who is recovering from double pneumonia.

Saturday’s meeting marked the first in-person talks between the Holy See and the second Trump presidency, with the Vatican saying afterwards that there was “an exchange of opinions on the international situation.”

The communique referred to countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners.

Before the talks, Parolin told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the U.S. administration “is very different” from what it had been used to and what the West had relied on.

Regarding the Trump administration’s push for a ceasefire in Ukraine, the cardinal said the Vatican supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and that it was up to Ukrainians themselves to decide what they are willing to negotiate.

The Vatican also said hope was expressed for “serene collaboration” with the Catholic Church in the United States, “whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.”

The Associated Press reported that this appeared to refer to Vance’s accusation that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was resettling “illegal immigrants” to get federal funding, a claim which U.S. cardinals have rejected.

Pope’s Rebuke

In February, Pope Francis criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policy and expressed concern about the USAID cuts imposed since January.

The pope refuted Vance’s use of a theological concept, the “ordo amoris” (“order of love” or “order of charity”), to defend the administration’s approach.

What People Are Saying

The Vatican statement: “There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation… especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners.”

What Happens Next

Following his convalescence, Pope Francis has said he hoped to attend Easter Mass that usually draws thousands to St. Peter’s Square, according to the AP citing official Mass booklet and liturgical plans released Saturday.