U.S. Vice President discusses peace and religious freedom at the Vatican

Meeting between J.D. Vance and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin. Photo: Vatican News

On April 19, 2025, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance held a meeting with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, during which they discussed issues of peace, religious freedom, and migration, according to Vatican News.

On Holy Saturday morning, Vice President Vance was received at the Secretariat of State by Cardinal Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, as announced in a Saturday press release from the Holy See.

“During the cordial talks, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, and the common commitment to protect the right to freedom of religion and conscience was reiterated,” the statement noted.

“There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation," it read, "especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners,” the communiqué added.

Other matters of mutual interest were also discussed. The meeting concluded with an expression of hope for continued cooperation between the state and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.

Vice President Vance, along with his family, also attended the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday evening at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Pope Francis passed away on April 21.

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