By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News
VATICAN CITY (Worthy News) – U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a devout Catholic and the last known foreign leader to have met Pope Francis before his death, has expressed sadness about the pontiff’s passing at the age of 88.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis,” Vance, who met the pope Saturday, wrote on social platform X. “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,” Vance added. “But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
The White House also offered condolences on X, with an unsigned statement that read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
The meeting with Pope Francis was reportedly not originally on Vance’s schedule for the trip to Italy. However, sources said Vance was hoping he could secure even a brief moment with the Pope—a personal goal for him as a Catholic as well as a political one.
The pontiff was a long-time critic of US President Donald Trump. In 2016, he questioned then-presidential candidate Trump’s faith, saying, “A person who thinks only about building walls… and not of building bridges, is not Christian”.
Recently, he referred to Trump’s immigration views as “an ugly thing” and his plans to ramp up deportations as a “disgrace.”
CARING FOR MIGRANTS
Caring for migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty was a signature issue for the Pope.
Vance has defended Trump’s anti-migration policies, sometimes invoking his own beliefs in response to criticism. Still, insiders said his visit was aimed at thawing relations.
The Vatican recalled that during their conversation, “the common commitment to protect the right to religious freedom and freedom of conscience was renewed” amid broader concerns about the persecution of Christians.
“There was also an exchange of views on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention focused on migrants, refugees, and those in prison,” the Vatican said.
On Good Friday, Vance, his wife, and three children attended the “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in Saint Peter’s Basilica” in Vatican City.
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, presided over the ceremony, as the pope was already too frail to lead it then.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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