Pope Francis Met JD Vance One Day Before Passing/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, just one day before the pontiff’s passing. The encounter, marked by warm gestures and shared faith, became one of Francis’ final public audiences. Vance, a Catholic convert, later offered a heartfelt tribute to the pope’s enduring spiritual legacy.
Vice President JD Vance’s Final Meeting with Pope Francis – Quick Looks
- Easter Encounter: Vance met Pope Francis one day before his death.
- Final Blessings: The two exchanged warm words and religious gifts.
- Health Concerns: Pope appeared in a wheelchair, frail but present.
- Diplomatic Talks: Vance also met with Cardinal Parolin on Saturday.
- Migration Differences: Vatican champions migrants, U.S. pushes for border security.
- White House Tribute: Trump and Leavitt honored Francis’ global legacy.
- Vance Reaction: Shared emotional tribute on X following pope’s death.
- COVID Homily: Vance highlighted Francis’ 2020 speech as deeply impactful.
- Shared Faith: Meeting underscored Catholic ties in global diplomacy.
- Historic Timing: One of the pope’s last audiences before passing.
Deep Look: JD Vance Meets Pope Francis Day Before Pontiff’s Passing
WASHINGTON — In what would be one of Pope Francis’ final personal audiences, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with the pontiff on Easter Sunday, just one day before Francis died at age 88.
The vice president, a Catholic convert and rising political figure within the Trump administration, greeted the pope during a brief but symbolic visit at the Vatican. The moment, now imbued with historical significance, captured the weight of faith, diplomacy, and personal reflection.
A Solemn Easter Exchange
Video footage released by the Vatican showed Vance approaching a visibly weakened Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair. “Hello,” Vance said as he bent to shake the pontiff’s hand. “So good to see you.”
Though the pope’s voice was not audible in the recording, a priest serving as a translator conveyed his messages and facilitated the ceremonial gift exchange. The pope offered Vance a collection of symbolic tokens, including chocolate eggs for his children, rosary beads, and a Vatican-branded tie.
“These are for your children,” the priest said, smiling as the items were presented.
Vance, visibly moved, accepted the gifts and offered a heartfelt goodbye: “I pray for you every day. God bless you.”
Diplomatic Meeting with Cardinal Parolin
A day prior, Vance held a formal meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. While no official transcript was released, the Vatican described the encounter as “an exchange of opinions,” referencing the sensitive backdrop of differing views on migration.
Under Francis, the Catholic Church has strongly advocated for migrants’ rights, a position often at odds with the Trump administration’s focus on tightened immigration policies. Vance’s office said the discussion also included the state of Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities, and Trump’s commitment to restoring global peace.
U.S. Reaction to the Pope’s Death
Following Francis’ death on Monday morning, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she had spoken with members of Vance’s team about the visit.
“They expressed how excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the pope just yesterday,” Leavitt told reporters. “It’s a solemn day for Catholics around the world. We are praying for all those who loved the pope and believed in him.”
President Donald Trump also responded with a brief but poignant message on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Vance Shares Personal Reflection
While continuing his diplomatic travels to India, Vance posted a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis on X (formerly Twitter).
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” he wrote. “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
Vance also shared a link to one of Francis’ most memorable public addresses: the solitary homily delivered from St. Peter’s Basilica on March 27, 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities,” Francis said at the time. “It has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void.”
Vance reflected, “It was really quite beautiful. I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID.”
A Meeting That Became a Farewell
What was originally scheduled as a meaningful Easter visit for a practicing Catholic vice president has now become a historic final audience. JD Vance’s encounter with Pope Francis marks one of the last personal interactions the pontiff shared before his death—symbolizing the continuity of faith amid leadership transitions and geopolitical challenges.
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