U.S. Vice President JD Vance has arrived at the Vatican for high-level talks with senior Catholic Church officials, marking his first in-person visit to the Holy See during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Vance, a practicing Catholic, is expected to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, along with other Church officials.
Tensions Over Immigration Policy
The visit comes amid strained relations between the Vatican and the Trump administration, following Pope Francis’s harsh criticism of U.S. immigration policies.
The Pope recently described the mass deportation of undocumented migrants from the U.S. as “a disgrace,” expressing concern over the human cost of such measures.
While Vance is unlikely to meet Pope Francis—who is recovering from a prolonged hospitalization due to double pneumonia—the immigration issue remains a central point of contention between the two sides.
Vance Cites Medieval Catholic Teachings
The Vice President has controversially invoked medieval Catholic doctrines to defend the administration’s stance on illegal immigration, a move that has sparked backlash from Catholic advocacy groups.
Meanwhile, Vatican-affiliated humanitarian agency Caritas labeled Trump’s cuts to foreign aid and domestic welfare programs as “catastrophic” for developing countries.
Ongoing Disagreements
Pope Francis has also voiced concerns over the Trump administration’s restrictions on humanitarian assistance, warning that such actions undermine the Church’s mission to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Despite the ongoing disputes, Vatican officials said the visit reflects an effort to “maintain open lines of communication” with Washington.
