WASHINGTON − Pope Leo XIV met privately with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their wives, the Vatican announced May 19.
Vance, the first Catholic convert to serve as vice president, and Rubio led a delegation as the first U.S.-born leader of the church formally assumed his role with a Mass May 18 in St. Peter’s Square attended by tens of thousands of people, including dozens of world leaders.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Vance passed a long a letter to the pope from President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump “extending their warm wishes and inviting him to the White House as soon as he possibly can” visit.
After the private meeting, Vance met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states and international organizations, to discuss religious freedom and collaboration between the Catholic church and the U.S. government.
“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, during which hope was expressed that humanitarian law and international law be respected in areas of conflict and that there be a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” according to the Holy See’s press office.
Vance met with Pope Francis on April 20 less than 24 hours before the pope died after a weekslong battle with double pneumonia and other health problems.
Vance, Rubio meet pope after worldwide celebration of first Mass
Before Leo was elected pope on May 8, then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago promoted several opinion articles on social media, some as recently as April, critical of Vance’s interpretation of Scripture and immigration. “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” one headline posted Feb. 3 reads.
But the White House has brushed off Leo’s social media commentary. The inaugural Mass became a celebration for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The new pontiff rode into the square on a popemobile for the first time ahead of his investiture wearing a liturgical garment called the Pallium, made of lambswool.
When the papal Fisherman’s Ring was slipped onto the ring finger of Leo’s right hand, he took a moment to glance at the new gold ornament before folding his hands in prayer.
Well-wishers carried U.S. and Peruvian flags to cheer the first pope from the United States. Leo, 69, was born in Chicago and spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he also has citizenship. That also makes him the first pontiff tied to that South American nation.
Vance meets with other world leaders on sidelines of visit to Rome
Vance also met with other international leaders May 18 while in Rome. These meetings included:
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A meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aiming to reach a lasting ceasefire with Russia, which invaded his country in 2022. Trump planned to speak May 19 with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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A trade meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The talks also dealt with increasing cooperation over defense, migration and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
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A meeting to discuss unspecified shared interests with United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The U.S. reached its first trade agreement with the United Kingdom after Trump imposed worldwide tariffs on imports.
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Another trade meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Leavitt commended Vance for meeting Zelenskyy. “My understanding is it was a good meeting, a productive meeting, and we’re grateful that the vice president did it.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo meets with VP Vance and Secretary of State Rubio
