Pope Francis, before his passing, held one of his final meetings with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican during Easter weekend. Vance, a Catholic convert, interacted with the pope on Easter Sunday, approaching him warmly and expressing gladness at seeing him in better health. Although the pope’s words could not be heard in the Vatican’s video, Vance’s remarks conveyed well-wishes for the pope’s improved condition.
The meeting involved a priest translating for the pope, presenting Vance with chocolate eggs for his children, along with other gifts like rosaries and a Vatican tie, which Vance admired for its beauty. A photograph captured the moment, with Vance standing beside the pope, followed by Vance expressing his gratitude and daily prayers for the pope.
The visit wasn’t devoid of political nuances. Vance also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin to discuss their shared Catholic faith, the situation of persecuted Christian communities globally, and President Donald Trump’s initiatives toward world peace. The Vatican described this meeting as an exchange of opinions. Vance’s team expressed their excitement and gratitude for the audience with the pope shortly before his death.
Following the pope’s passing, President Donald Trump extended condolences via a statement, wishing Pope Francis peace and blessings. Vance, having traveled to India post-visit, shared his reflections on social media, expressing sorrow for the loss and fond memories of their meeting despite the pope’s evident frailty. He highlighted a memorable homily delivered by Pope Francis in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, noting its impactful message on enduring hardships through faith. The homily, spoken from St. Peter’s Basilica, acknowledged the pervasive darkness and silence but urged reliance on faith to prevail, emphasizing that “with God life never dies.”