In the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, a wave of tributes has emerged from across the United States, led by Vice President JD Vance, who was among the last to meet with the ailing pontiff. Vance, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 2019, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet Francis during his final hours. He conveyed condolences to Christians worldwide who revered the pope, acknowledging the pontiff’s visible illness during their encounter on Easter Sunday.
Pope Francis, widely recognized for his compassionate leadership, clashed with Vance in the past over the latter’s stringent anti-immigration policies. Despite their differences, Vance honored Francis’ legacy with a heartfelt message.
President Donald Trump, along with former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, also expressed sorrow over the loss of the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics. Trump’s brief message on social media offered blessings to Francis and his followers. Biden, reflecting on his own Catholic faith as the second Catholic president after John F. Kennedy, lauded Francis as a peacemaker who championed the fight against poverty and climate change. He remembered Francis as a pope for all people, embodying faith, hope, and love.
Biden previously met with Francis during a visit to the Vatican in 2021, a moment captured in a widely shared photograph. Obama highlighted the pope’s humility and commitment to serving the underprivileged, emphasizing Francis’ ability to awaken moral consciousness and responsibility among people.
Senator Chuck Schumer from New York described Francis as a beacon of hope, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted his historic role as the first Jesuit and Latino pope, marking a significant departure from centuries of European papal leadership. Jeffries emphasized that Francis’ moral and visionary legacy would endure beyond his lifetime.