US vice chairman JD Vance has met with Pope Francis.
The assembly got here amid tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over the US president’s crackdown on migrants and cuts to worldwide support.
No additional particulars have been launched on the assembly between the vice chairman and the Pope, who has been recovering following weeks in hospital with double pneumonia.
Mr Vance, who’s in Rome along with his household, additionally met with the Vatican’s quantity two, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the overseas minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
The Vatican mentioned there had been “an exchange of opinions” over worldwide conflicts, migrants and prisoners.
In accordance with an announcement, the 2 sides had “cordial talks” and the Vatican expressed satisfaction with the Trump administration’s dedication to defending freedom of faith and conscience.
“There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees and prisoners,” the assertion mentioned.
Francis has beforehand referred to as the Trump administration’s deportation plans a “disgrace”.
Mr Vance, who turned Catholic in 2019, has cited medieval-era Catholic educating to justify the immigration crackdown.
The pope rebutted the theological idea Mr Vance used to defend the crackdown in an uncommon open letter to the USCatholic bishops in regards to the Trump administration in February, and referred to as Mr Trump’s plan a “major crisis” for the US.
“What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly andwill end badly,” the Pope mentioned within the letter.
Mr Vance has acknowledged Francis’s criticism however mentioned he would proceed to defend his views. Throughout an look in late February on the Nationwide Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, he didn’t tackle the problem particularly however referred to as himself a “baby Catholic” and acknowledged there have been “things about the faith that I don’t know”.
Whereas he had criticised Francis on social media prior to now, just lately he has posted prayers for the pontiff’s restoration.
