Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis on the Vatican on Easter Sunday, a spokesperson for the vp mentioned, in a uncommon assembly after the 2 males have tangled sharply over immigration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. t
Francis has made caring for migrants a trademark of his papacy and his progressive views on social justice points have usually put him at odds with members of the extra conservative U.S. Catholic Church.
Francis additionally modified church instructing to say that capital punishment is inadmissible in all instances.
In the meantime, Vance had defended the administration’s America-first crackdown by citing an idea from medieval Catholic theology identified in Latin as “ordo amoris.” He has mentioned the idea delineates a hierarchy of care — to household first, adopted by neighbor, group, fellow residents and lastly these elsewhere.
In a Feb. 10 letter, Francis appeared to right Vance’s understanding of the idea.
“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extends to other persons and groups,” he wrote. “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.”
Vance has acknowledged Francis’ criticism however has mentioned he would proceed to defend his views. Throughout a Feb. 28 look on the Nationwide Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance didn’t deal with the problem particularly however referred to as himself a “baby Catholic” and acknowledged there are “things about the faith that I don’t know.”
Pope Francis receives U.S. Vice President JD Vance earlier than bestowing the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to town and to the world) blessing on the finish of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Vatican Media / AP
Vance was spending Easter weekend in Rome together with his household and attended Good Friday providers in St. Peter’s Basilica after assembly with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On Saturday, the Vances obtained a non-public tour of the Sistine Chapel, and the vp met with the Vatican’s No. 2 official.
The Holy See reaffirmed good relations with Vance after the Saturday assembly, however famous “an exchange of opinions” over present worldwide conflicts, migrants and prisoners.
The Vatican said that Vance, who transformed to Catholicism in 2019, met with the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the international minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. There was no indication that Vance met with Pope Francis, who has been slowly resuming some official duties throughout his restoration from pneumonia.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance throughout an viewers on the Apostolic Palace on April 19, 2025 in Vatican Metropolis, Vatican.
Francesco Sforza / Getty Photos
The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration, preserving with its custom of diplomatic neutrality, expressing alarm over the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in worldwide support.
These considerations have been mirrored within the Vatican’s assertion on Saturday, which mentioned the talks have been cordial and that it expressed satisfaction with the administration’s dedication to defending freedom of faith and conscience.
“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,” the assertion mentioned. “Finally, hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.”
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance throughout an viewers on the Apostolic Palace on April 19, 2025 in Vatican Metropolis, Vatican.
Francesco Sforza / Getty Photos
The reference to “serene collaboration” appeared to seek advice from Vance’s accusation that the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops was resettling “illegal immigrants” to get federal funding. High U.S. cardinals have pushed again strongly in opposition to the declare.
“It is clear that the approach of the current U.S. administration is very different from what we are used to and, especially in the West, from what we have relied on for many years,” Parolin instructed La Repubblica day by day on the eve of Vance’s go to.
The vp’s workplace confirmed the assembly between Vance and Parolin, saying they “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.”
There was no point out of the small print supplied by the Vatican.
Kristin Brown
contributed to this report.
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