VATICAN CITY (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance meet briefly with Pope Francis for Easter greetings on Sunday, April 20, 2025, as both of dem dey involved in serious discussion about Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
Pope Francis, wey dey recover from near-fatal pneumonia, receive Vance for one of di Vatican hotel reception rooms, after Francis don delegate Easter Mass to another cardinal. Di pope gift Vance three big chocolate Easter eggs for him three young children, plus a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance talk to di pope. “Thank you for seeing me.” Vance’s motorcade enter Vatican through side gate while di Mass dey happen for St. Peter’s Square.
Di Vatican talk say dem meet for few minutes at di Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings” an Vance’s office confirm di meeting but no give more details. Dem motorcade spend just 17 minutes on Vatican territory.
Later, Vance join him family for Easter Mass at St. Paul Outside di Walls, one of di four pontifical basilicas in Rome, an dem visit di tomb of apostle St. Paul wey dey there.
Vance wey convert to Catholicism in 2019, and di pope don dey clash sharply over immigration issues and di Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants. Di pope don make caring for migrants di hallmark of him papacy.
Just days before he enter hospital for February, Francis don criticize di deportation plans, warning say dem go deprive di migrants of their dignity. In a letter wey he send to U.S. bishops, Francis appear to address Vance directly for him claims say Catholic doctrine justify dem deportation plans.
Vance don acknowledge di pope criticism but he talk say him go still defend him views. During a speech for di National Catholic Prayer Breakfast for February 28, Vance no address di issue but call himself a “baby Catholic,” admitting say there are “things about di faith wey I don’t know.”
Vance meet wit di Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and di foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher on Saturday. Vance’s office say dem “discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in di United States, di plight of persecuted Christian communities around di world, and President Trump’s commitment to restoring world peace.”
Di Vatican, for dem part, say there was an “exchange of opinions” wey include migrants and refugees and current conflicts.
Di Holy See don been dey respond cautiously to di Trump administration while dem dey try to maintain productive relations, keeping to dem tradition of diplomatic neutrality. Dem don express alarm over di administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in international aid while insisting on peaceful resolutions to di conflicts for Ukraine and Gaza.
