Vance at Vatican Amidst Pope Clash

US Vice President JD Vance concluded a visit to the Vatican Saturday, holding meetings with key Vatican officials amid lingering tensions stemming from Pope Francis’s recent criticisms of the current US administration. Vance arrived at the Apostolic Palace just before 10:00 am local time and conferred with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

The meeting occurred a day after Vance’s discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where US trade tariffs under the previous administration were reportedly a key topic. Vance also attended a Good Friday liturgy at Saint Peter’s Basilica with his family. While a meeting with Pope Francis himself was sought, the pontiff is currently recovering from a recent bout of life-threatening pneumonia that required nearly 40 days of hospitalization. It remains unclear whether Vance will attend Easter Mass on Sunday, where Pope Francis is expected to preside.

The visit unfolds against a backdrop of strained relations. In February, Pope Francis publicly condemned a plan for mass deportations proposed by the US administration, prompting a rebuke from Washington urging the pontiff to “stick to” religious matters. Last year, the Pope also waded into US election discourse, criticizing anti-migrant sentiment as “madness” and challenging conservative US Catholic figures.

Vance, a Catholic convert, is known for his alignment with the more conservative elements within American churches – groups that have frequently clashed with Pope Francis over issues like migration, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice. This ideological divide undoubtedly casts a shadow over the discussions, making any interaction between Vance and the Pope potentially fraught with tension. The visit appears to be a delicate diplomatic maneuver, attempting to navigate a complex relationship marked by significant philosophical disagreements. It remains to be seen whether this meeting can bridge the gap, or if it will simply underscore the widening chasm between the Vatican and the current US administration.