Vatican Meeting: US Delegation Meets with Pope Leo XIV.

Following his inauguration mass on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV received United States Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Monday. The audience, lasting approximately 45 minutes, was followed by a meeting between Vice President Vance and the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher.

According to a Vatican statement, discussions centered on the positive state of bilateral relations and potential collaboration between Church and State, with a particular focus on matters pertaining to ecclesial life and religious freedom. The statement further indicated an exchange of views on current international issues, underscoring the need for adherence to both humanitarian and international law in conflict zones and advocating for negotiated resolutions.

The meeting occurs amidst a backdrop of Pope Leo XIV’s past criticisms of the United States government and, specifically, Vice President Vance. However, Vance, himself a Catholic convert, expressed support for the new pontiff, stating the United States is “very proud of him.”