US VP Vance attends Good Friday service at St Peter's Basilica, to meet Vatican Secretary of State amid immigration row

ANI April 19, 2025 208 views

US Vice President JD Vance visited Rome for Good Friday services at St. Peter’s Basilica. His trip includes meetings with Vatican officials amid ongoing tensions over US immigration policies. Earlier, he met Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who recently held talks with Donald Trump. The visit highlights the divide between the US administration and Pope Francis on immigration and nationalist rhetoric.

"I wish all Christians all over the world, but particularly those back home in the US, a blessed Good Friday." – JD Vance
Rome, April 19: US Vice President JD Vance attended a Good Friday service at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, as part of his Easter weekend visit. He is scheduled to meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, on Saturday, according to Politico.

Key Points

1

Vance attends Good Friday service at St. Peter’s Basilica

2

Meets Italian PM Meloni after her Trump talks

3

Vatican tensions rise over US immigration policies

4

Pope Francis previously criticized Vance’s deportation stance

Vance, who is the highest-ranking Catholic in the US government, travelled to Rome on Friday. Earlier in the day, he met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a day after she met with former US President Donald Trump at the White House.

This visit comes amid tensions between the US administration and the Catholic Church over the Trump administration's strict immigration policies, Politico reported.

Vance's visit to the Vatican during one of the holiest periods in the Christian calendar comes amid his ongoing disagreement with Pope Francis and follows his critical comments about Europe.

https://x.com/JDVance/status/1913232585334931469

Following his visit, Vance shared a post on the social media platform X, wishing Christians around the world a blessed Good Friday.

"I'm grateful every day for this job, but particularly today, where my official duties have brought me to Rome on Good Friday. I had a great meeting with Prime Minister Meloni and her team, and will head to church soon with my family in this beautiful city," the post read.

"I wish all Christians all over the world, but particularly those back home in the US, a blessed Good Friday," it added.

According to Politico, the US administration has clashed with the Church several times in recent months over tough immigration policies and nationalist rhetoric, which contrast with Pope Francis's more progressive and pro-immigrant views.

Tensions reached a high point in February, when Pope Francis sent a rare letter to American bishops, criticising the US government's mass deportation plans and challenging Vance's interpretation of a medieval theological concept.

"Vice President Vance looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister Meloni and Church officials while in Italy and is grateful for the opportunity to visit some of Rome's amazing cultural and religious sites with his family during Holy Week," Vance's spokesperson, Taylor Van Kirk, said in a statement before the vice president's departure.

Reader Comments

M
Michael T.
Interesting to see Vance attending services while tensions with the Vatican remain high. I hope this visit leads to more productive dialogue between the US and the Church. 🙏
S
Sarah L.
As a Catholic, I appreciate seeing our VP observing Holy Week traditions. But I do wish the administration would reconsider some of the immigration policies that conflict with Church teachings.
J
James K.
The optics of this visit seem a bit off to me. Meeting with Meloni right after she saw Trump, then heading to the Vatican... feels more political than spiritual.
A
Angela R.
Beautiful to see leaders observing religious traditions! Rome is magical during Holy Week. Hope the VP and his family enjoy their visit between meetings.
T
Thomas P.
I respect Vance's faith, but I wish he'd align his policies more closely with Catholic social teaching, especially regarding immigrants and refugees. The Church has been clear on this.
E
Emma S.
The photo of him at St. Peter's was moving. Regardless of politics, seeing leaders participate in religious observations is meaningful to many Americans.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
JD Vance Vatican immigration policy Pope Francis Good Friday St. Peter’s Basilica US politics