VATICAN CITY (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis on Sunday to change Easter greetings, after they acquired right into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
Francis, who’s recovering from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia, obtained Vance in one of many reception rooms of the Vatican resort the place he lives. The 88-year-old pope provided the Catholic vp three huge chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three younger youngsters, who didn’t attend, in addition to a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance informed the pope. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City by way of a facet gate whereas Easter Mass was being celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. Francis had delegated the celebration of the Mass to a different cardinal.
The Vatican mentioned they met for a couple of minutes on the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.”
Vance’s workplace mentioned the vp “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 mentioned as he bid Francis farewell. “God bless you.”
In all, Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes. The vp later joined his household for Easter Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of many 4 pontifical basilicas in Rome. The Vances visited the tomb of the apostle St. Paul that’s mentioned to be positioned there.
Vance, who transformed to Catholicism in 2019, and the pope have tangled sharply over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. Francis has made caring for migrants a trademark of his papacy.
Just days earlier than he was hospitalized in February, Francis blasted the deportation plans, warning that they’d deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. In a letter to U.S. bishops, Francis additionally appeared to answer Vance straight for having claimed that Catholic doctrine justified such insurance policies.
Vance has acknowledged Francis’ criticism however has mentioned he’ll proceed to defend his views. During a Feb. 28 look on the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance didn’t handle the problem particularly however referred to as 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 overseas minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
Vance’s workplace mentioned 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 half, mentioned there was an “exchange of opinions” together with over migrants and refugees and present conflicts.
The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration whereas in search of to proceed productive relations in step with its custom of diplomatic neutrality. It has expressed alarm over the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in worldwide support whereas insisting on peaceable resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Associated Press faith protection receives help by way of the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely liable for this content material.
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