Pope Francis receives US Vice President JD Vance, proper, earlier than bestowing the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to town and the world) blessing in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025. (Vatican Media by way of Related Press)
WASHINGTON — One in every of Pope Francis’ closing encounters earlier than his dying was with US Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend.
The assembly happened on Easter Sunday. Vance, a Catholic convert, entered the room and reached down for the pope’s hand.
“Hiya,” the vice chairman stated. “So good to see you.”
Francis was sitting in a wheelchair, and his phrases have been inaudible in a video launched by the Vatican.
“I do know you’ve not been feeling nice, but it surely’s good to see you in higher well being,” Vance stated.
READ: Pope Francis: Remembering his life, teachings and legacy – Stay Updates
A priest serving as a translator spoke for the pope.
“These are on your kids,” the priest stated as somebody offered Vance with chocolate eggs. Subsequent got here a tray of further presents, together with rosaries and a Vatican tie.
“Thanks,” Vance stated as he held the darkish tie. “So stunning.”
They posed for a photograph, Vance standing to the pope’s proper earlier than bidding him farewell.
“I pray for you day by day,” Vance stated. “God bless you.”
Vance’s go to was not with out political sensitivities, and he met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Saturday for what the Vatican described as “an change of opinions.”
The Catholic Church, below Francis’ management, has championed the rights of migrants, whereas Vance and President Donald Trump have advocated for crackdowns.
Vance’s workplace stated the vice chairman and the cardinal “mentioned their shared non secular religion, Catholicism in america, the plight of persecuted Christian communities all over the world, and President Trump’s dedication to restoring world peace.”
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that she had spoken to members of Vance’s workforce on Monday morning after Francis’ dying.
“They expressed how excited and grateful they have been for the chance to have met with the pope simply yesterday,” she stated.
Leavitt added that Francis “touched tens of millions of lives all through his tenure as the top of the Catholic Church, and so it’s a solemn day for Catholics all over the world and we’re praying for all those that beloved the pope and believed in him.”
Trump issued a press release on Fact Social: “Relaxation in Peace Pope Francis! Might God Bless him and all who beloved him!”
On the White Home Easter Egg Roll on Monday, Trump stated he signed an government order for U.S. flags to fly at half-staff within the pope’s honor.
“He was a great man,” the president informed reporters. “He beloved the world, and it’s an honor to try this.”
Vance, who continued on to India after Italy, posted further ideas on social media.
“I simply discovered of the passing of Pope Francis. My coronary heart goes out to the tens of millions of Christians everywhere in the world who beloved him,” he wrote on X. “I used to be glad to see him yesterday, although he was clearly very ailing.”
Vance shared a hyperlink to remarks that Francis gave on March 27, 2020, as COVID-19 was spreading across the globe.
“I’ll at all times keep in mind him for the under homily he gave within the very early days of COVID,” Vance wrote. “It was actually fairly stunning.”
Francis had spoken from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
“Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities,” he stated. “It has taken over our lives, filling every thing with a deafening silence and a distressing void.”
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He inspired folks to depend on their religion to assist them endure “as a result of with God life by no means dies.”
