US Vice President JD Vance Reflects on Last Meeting with Pope Francis A Day Before His Death
Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, just one day before his death.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta residence.
Also Read: Pope Francis Dies At 88
Pope Francis’ Final Meeting with JD Vance
JD Vance, who had been in Rome over the Easter weekend for diplomatic meetings, visited Pope Francis at the Domus Santa Marta—the Vatican hotel where the Pope resided. The two exchanged Easter greetings in what turned out to be the Pope’s final official encounter.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health. Thank you for seeing me,” Vance told the pontiff during their brief meeting.
According to the Vatican, the Pope offered the Catholic vice-president three large chocolate Easter eggs for his children, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I pray for you every day. God bless you,” Vance told Pope Francis as he bid him farewell.
Tribute After the Tragedy
Following the official announcement of Pope Francis’ death, JD Vance posted a heartfelt tribute on X.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.
May God rest his soul.”
Tensions Over Migration Policy
The brief Easter encounter between Pope Francis and JD Vance came despite previous tensions between the two over the Trump administration’s proposed migrant deportation plans.
Pope Francis, a long-time advocate for migrants and refugees, had strongly criticized such policies in the past.
Just days before he was hospitalized in February, Francis issued a warning that mass deportations would strip migrants of their dignity. In a separate letter to U.S. bishops, the pontiff appeared to indirectly respond to Vance’s claim that Catholic doctrine supported the administration’s policies.
Vance, while acknowledging the Pope’s criticism, has maintained his stance. At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on February 28, he described himself as a “baby Catholic,” admitting, “there are things about the faith that I don’t know.
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