Vice President J.D. Vance Meets Vatican Officials to Discuss Global Conflicts, Refugee Crisis, and Humanitarian Issues

Vice President J.D. Vance Meets Vatican Officials to Discuss Global Conflicts, Refugee Crisis, and Humanitarian Issues

Vatican City, April 19, 2025 – According to a report from global news outlet AP, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with top Vatican officials on Saturday to discuss pressing global issues including the refugee crisis, international conflict zones, and the treatment of prisoners, the Holy See announced.

Following the meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Foreign Minister, a statement noted that both sides engaged in “cordial discussions.” The Vatican expressed appreciation for the U.S. administration’s commitment to protecting religious freedom and freedom of conscience.

The Holy See emphasized hope for continued “peaceful cooperation” between the United States and the Catholic Church, which it said plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities around the world.

This statement came amid tension over Vance’s earlier accusations against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, alleging that the group used government funding to support the resettlement of what he described as “illegal migrants.” U.S. Catholic leadership has strongly rejected those claims.

Cardinal Parolin, speaking to Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper the day before, said:

“The current U.S. administration’s policies differ significantly from what we’ve long relied on, especially from a Western standpoint.”

Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, he reaffirmed support for Ukrainian sovereignty and stressed,

“Peace cannot be imposed—it must be built gradually, through dialogue and mutual respect.”

Vice President Vance, a convert to Catholicism, is in Rome for the Easter weekend with his wife Usha and daughter Mirabel. After meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, he attended Good Friday prayers at St. Peter’s Basilica and toured the Sistine Chapel privately with his family on Saturday.

Vance and Pope Francis have previously been publicly at odds over immigration policy. The Pope has repeatedly called for compassion toward migrants and has taken a progressive stance on social justice, sometimes clashing with more conservative factions within the U.S. Church.

In February, shortly before falling ill, Pope Francis criticized the U.S. policy of mass deportations, describing it as a violation of human dignity. Around the same time, he addressed a letter to Vance, gently correcting the Vice President’s interpretation of the concept of Ordo Amoris—Latin for “the order of love.”

The Pope wrote:

“Christian love is never about gradually expanding circles of self-interest. Rather, it builds a fraternity that is open to all—without exception.”

Vance, who has described himself as a “baby Catholic”, stated that while he respects the Pope’s words, he remains firm in his views. Speaking at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington this past February, he said,

“There’s still a lot I’m learning about the faith.”