U.S. Vice-President Vance and Holy See discuss global crises
A meeting took place at the Vatican between U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The talks focussed on, among other things, wars, international tensions, and migration issues.
On Saturday, a meeting was held at the Vatican between U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The head of Vatican diplomacy, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, also participated in the talks.
According to the Vatican press office, discussions covered, among other things, wars, political tensions, and challenging humanitarian conditions, with an emphasis on the situation of migrants and refugees.
Vance with a special visit: Improving U.S.-Vatican relations?
During the meeting, there was satisfaction expressed with the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States. A joint commitment to protecting the right to religious freedom and conscience was emphasized.
"There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees and prisoners," reads the Vatican statement.
The communiqué also mentions the desire for "serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States" and noted its "valuable service to the most vulnerable people."
The meeting aimed to improve relations between the Vatican and the U.S., especially in the context of the approach to migration. In February, Pope Francis criticized the mass deportations of immigrants by President Donald Trump's administration. Vance's visit to the Vatican lasted about two hours, and the vice-president arrived with a motorcade of about 40 cars.
J.D. Vance, who is a practising Catholic, was baptized in 2019. On Friday, before the meeting, he attended the Good Friday liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica with his family.
