Vance had met April 20 with Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, a day before the pontiff died.
Pope Leo takes charge of Catholic Church in inaugural mass
Vice President JD Vance watched as Pope Leo XIV formally assumed his role as the leader of the Catholic Church St. Peter’s Square.
- Vance also met with Archbishop Richard Gallagher to discuss religious freedom and collaboration between the Holy See and the U.S.
WASHINGTON − Pope Leo XIV met privately with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their wives, the Vatican announced May 19.
Vance, the first Catholic convert to serve as vice president, and Rubio led a delegation as the first U.S.-born leader of the church formally assumed his role with a Mass May 18 in St. Peter’s Square attended by tens of thousands of people, including dozens of world leaders.
After the private meeting, Vance met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states and international organizations, to discuss religious freedom and collaboration between the Catholic church and U.S. government.
“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, during which hope was expressed that humanitarian law and international law be respected in areas of conflict and that there be a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” according to the Holy See’s press office.
Vance met with the late Pope Francis on April 20, less than 24 hours before the pope died following a weeks-long battle with double pneumonia and other health issues.