Vice President JD Vance met with the Vatican’s No. 2 official on Saturday amid tensions over the Trump administration’s migrant crackdown, with the Holy See reaffirming good relations while noting “an exchange of opinions” on current international conflicts, migrants, and prisoners.
The Vatican reported that Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the foreign minister. There was no indication that Vance met with Pope Francis, who has gradually resumed some official duties as he recovers from pneumonia.
The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration, following its tradition of diplomatic neutrality, expressing concern about the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts to international aid.
The Vatican’s statement on Saturday reflected those concerns, stating that the talks were cordial and that it was pleased with the administration’s commitment to protecting religious and conscience freedoms.
“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,” according to a release. “Finally, hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.”
The term “serene collaboration” appeared to refer to Vance’s accusation that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was resettling “illegal immigrants” in order to receive federal funds. Top American cardinals have strongly refuted the claim.
“It is clear that the current U.S. administration’s approach is very different from what we are used to and, especially in the West, from what we have relied on for many years,” Parolin told La Repubblica on the eve of Vance’s visit.
The vice president’s office confirmed the meeting between Vance and Parolin, saying they “discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trump’s commitment to restoring global peace.”
There was no mention of the Vatican’s details.
Francis and Vance have clashed over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants in bulk. Francis has made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy, and his progressive views on social justice issues have frequently put him at odds with members of the more conservative American Catholic Church.
Francis also altered church teaching to declare capital punishment inadmissible in all cases.
Meanwhile, Vance had defended the administration’s America-first crackdown by citing a medieval Catholic theological concept known in Latin as “ordo amoris.” He has stated that the concept establishes a hierarchy of care, with family coming first, then neighbors, community, fellow citizens, and finally those elsewhere.
In his letter dated February 10, Francis appeared to correct Vance’s understanding of the concept.
“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extends to other persons and groups,” the apostle wrote. “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.”
Vance acknowledged Francis’ criticism but stated that he will continue to defend his views. During a Feb. 28 appearance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance did not address the issue directly, but referred to himself as a “baby Catholic” and admitted there are “things about the faith that I don’t know.”
Vance spent Easter weekend with his family in Rome, where he attended Good Friday services at St. Peter’s Basilica after meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On Saturday, after meeting Parolin, the Vances were given a private tour of the Sistine Chapel.
It was not immediately clear where they would spend Easter. According to the official Mass booklet and liturgical plans released Saturday, Francis expressed a desire to attend the Easter Mass, which typically draws thousands to St. Peter’s Square each year.