
Pope Leo XIV met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a private audience, in a meeting described by the Vatican as “cordial”, focused on strengthening ties between the United States and the Holy See. Image: Vatican Media
(The Post News)- Pope Leo XIV hosted US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a private audience, in a session the Vatican described as “cordial” and focused on forging relations between the United States and the Holy See.
The 45-minute session began with one-on-one conversation between the pontiff and Vice President Vance in the papal library, prior to the arrival of Secretary Rubio. The final part of the audience was made up of Second Lady Usha Vance, Jeanette Rubio, and members of the U.S. delegation, all of whom participated in the customary gift exchange. On a picture released by the Vatican, Vance presented Pope Leo with a Chicago Bears jersey on which was inscribed “Pope Leo XIV,” referencing the home city of the Pope.
The talks come a day after the vice president, a staunch Catholic, had witnessed Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass in the company of thousands of believers and global dignitaries. Born in Chicago and chosen the first-ever American pope on May 8, Leo has emerged as an outspoken leader on global issues like the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
A Vatican press release said both sides reaffirmed their contentment with the United States-Vatican relationship, and mutual interests like religious liberty and the roles of church-state cooperation. The Holy See said the meeting involved “an exchange of views on issues of the day” internationally, and noted a shared call for respect for international and humanitarian law in conflict zones, and solidarity with diplomatic efforts.
Vance and Rubio then sat down with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, reiterating the two nations’ commitment to collaborate on matters of both religious and geopolitical importance.
The sit-down follows recent criticism of the Pope’s prior social media activity, including tweets that have been disapproving of U.S. immigration policy and seemingly coded criticism of the Trump-era political agenda—stances that clash with some of Vance’s own policies. An X account belonging to Leo shared an opinion article in February titled, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” stoking speculation regarding tensions between Washington and the new pope.
Unlike earlier tension, Vice President Vance was conciliatory in tone on his visit. “The United States is very proud of Pope Leo,” he said after Sunday’s Mass. “Certainly our prayers go with him as he embarks on this very important work.”.
Within his first several days in office, Leo has already demonstrated to be more pugnacious in global diplomacy than his predecessor. He has received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and called for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, a much harsher tone than Pope Francis’s more measured approach. He has also issued renewed calls for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.
Following the papal audience, Rubio and Vance also met Zelensky in Rome to discuss the progress of ceasefire talks. In a press statement from both Vance and Zelensky on X, the encounter was “positive” and reaffirmed “real diplomacy” commitments.
As Leo XIV begins his historic papacy, Monday’s meeting represented a joint effort to find areas of agreement—even where political divides may remain.