US Vice President JD Vance met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday for what were described as “cordial” discussions, despite recent tensions between the Catholic Church and the Trump administration.
Vance, a practicing Catholic, sat down with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, to address several contentious issues, including immigration, global conflicts, and humanitarian concerns such as refugees and prisoners.
The Vatican said their conversation covered the “international situation,” emphasizing the plight of vulnerable populations. Vance, in turn, shared that he and Parolin discussed the role of Catholicism in the US, global Christian persecution, and President Trump’s “commitment to restoring world peace.”
Pope Francis, who is recovering from double pneumonia, did not attend the meeting. However, his stance on US policy under Trump has been clear. He has openly criticized the administration’s immigration crackdown, calling it a “disgrace,” and has rebuked Vance’s theological defense of such policies.
The Trump administration’s funding cuts to foreign aid and social services have also drawn heavy criticism from Vatican officials and US bishops alike. Recently, the US bishops’ conference announced it would end a long-standing partnership with the government in serving migrants, citing the impact of those cuts.
Despite the differences, the Vatican expressed hope for continued dialogue and collaboration between the US Church and government.