Vatican dialogue: Vice President Vance tackles migration issues
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 discussions centred on issues such as wars, international tensions, and migration.
On Saturday, the Vatican hosted a meeting between U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, head of Vatican diplomacy, was also present.
According to the Vatican press office, the discussions included topics like wars, political tensions, and challenging humanitarian conditions, focusing particularly on the situation of migrants and refugees.
Vance with a special visit: Improving U.S.-Vatican relations?
Satisfaction was expressed during the meeting regarding the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States. A joint commitment to safeguarding the right to religious freedom and conscience was highlighted.
"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 aspiration for "serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States" and emphasised its "valuable service to the most vulnerable people."
The meeting aimed to improve relations between the Vatican and the U.S., particularly in the context of migration. In February, Pope Francis criticised the mass deportations of immigrants by President Donald Trump's administration. Vance's visit to the Vatican lasted approximately two hours, and the vice president arrived with a motorcade of around 40 cars.
J.D. Vance, who is a practising Catholic, was baptised in 2019. On Friday, before the meeting, he attended the Good Friday liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica with his family.
