Vice President JD Vance's Final Easter Visit with Pope Francis

Vice President JD Vance was among the last to meet Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, just hours before the pontiff’s passing at age 88.

On Easter Sunday, Vice President JD Vance visited Pope Francis at the Vatican, marking one of the final encounters with the pontiff before his death early Monday. The meeting, which took place in the Vatican hotel where Pope Francis had been recuperating after a severe bout of pneumonia, was brief but poignant. During their time together, Vance exchanged Easter greetings with the pope and received gifts of chocolate Easter eggs for his children, along with a Vatican tie and rosaries.

The visit came as Pope Francis, the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church, was visibly ill but still managed to engage with Vance. The vice president expressed his gratitude for the invitation to meet on such a significant day and for the hospitality extended to his family. In a heartfelt moment, Vance told Pope Francis, “I pray for you every day,” wishing him well.

Following the news of Pope Francis’s death, Vance took to social media to share his condolences and reflect on their meeting. He highlighted the pope’s impactful homily from early in the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing its message of courage and spiritual creativity. The Vatican confirmed the meeting lasted about 17 minutes, during which time Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City discreetly.

This encounter was not only a personal milestone for Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, but also occurred amidst ongoing public disagreements with the pope over migration policies. Despite these differences, Vance’s visit underscored a moment of unity and respect between the two figures on a day of profound religious significance.

Later that day, Vance joined his family for Easter Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls, reflecting on the day’s events and the pope’s lasting impact on the global Catholic community.