www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-leo-xiv
US Vice President JD Vance has formally invited Pope Leo to make an official visit to Washington, following what the White House has described as a “cordial” meeting at the Vatican.
During the high-level audience, Vance delivered a personal letter from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, in which they invited the pontiff to travel to the United States “as soon as [he] possibly can”, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
A statement from the Holy See indicated that both parties expressed satisfaction with the current state of relations between the United States and the Vatican during their face-to-face discussions on Monday.
The meeting came shortly after Vance—a practicing Catholic—attended Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass on Sunday, alongside other dignitaries and worshippers.
Discussions during Monday’s private talks reportedly touched on religious freedom and the ongoing collaboration between church and state. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also took part in the conversations.
The Holy See’s statement noted that both delegations exchanged views on key international issues, with a mutual emphasis on the importance of upholding humanitarian and international law in conflict areas. Both sides called for negotiated settlements between opposing parties as a way to achieve lasting peace.
According to a spokesperson for Vance, the papal audience lasted 45 minutes and was held behind closed doors, with no members of the media in attendance.
As per tradition, gifts were exchanged during the visit. Vice President Vance presented the Pope with a Chicago Bears t-shirt bearing his name—a nod to the pontiff’s birthplace—and two books authored by St Augustine. In return, Pope Leo gifted Vance a bronze sculpture engraved with the Italian phrase “peace is a fragile flower” and a pictorial book of the papal apartments within the Apostolic Palace.
Vance also engaged in a separate, positive discussion with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
Pope Leo, who made history earlier this month as the first American elected to lead the Catholic Church, has in the past appeared to voice subtle criticism of Vance and the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
In February, an account on the social media platform X that is believed to be linked to the Pope shared posts opposing proposed mass deportation plans by the White House. That same month, the account also shared an opinion article titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
The Vatican has not responded to repeated requests from BBC News to confirm whether the X account is officially managed by Pope Leo.
Speaking on Sunday, Vice President Vance said the United States is “very proud” of the Chicago-born pontiff.
“Our prayers certainly go with him as he begins this very important mission,” Vance said.
