US Vice President J.D. Vance met with Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings despite disagreements over the Trump administration's immigration policies.
The pope, who is recovering from severe pneumonia, received Mr Vance in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where he is temporarily staying.
The 88-year-old pope presented the Catholic vice president with three large chocolate Easter eggs for his three young children who were unable to attend, as well as a Vatican tie and a rosary.
“I understand that you are not feeling well, but I am glad to see you in better health,” Mr. Vance told Pape. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Mr Vance's motorcade entered the Vatican through a side gate during Easter Mass in St Peter's Square.
The Pope entrusted the celebration of the Mass to another cardinal.
The Vatican said they met for just a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta to exchange Easter greetings.
Mr. Vance's office said the vice president “expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for the invitation to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality extended to his family.”
“I pray for you every day,” Mr. Vance said as he said goodbye to the pope. “God bless you.”
In total, Mr. Vance's motorcade spent 17 minutes inside the Vatican.
Mr Vance and the Pope have had sharp differences over immigration and the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations. Francis has highlighted concern for migrants as a key feature of his papacy.
Just days before his hospitalization in February, the pope criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies, warning that they were depriving migrants of their inherent dignity.
In a letter to the U.S. bishops, Francis also appeared to respond to Mr. Vance's claim that Catholic doctrine justifies such a policy.
Mr Vance acknowledged the Pope's criticism but said he would continue to defend his position.
At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington in February, Mr. Vance did not elaborate on the subject, but described himself as a “younger Catholic” and acknowledged that “there are things about the faith that I haven’t yet learned.”
Mr Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, met
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
