Pope Leo XIV Meets USA Vice President JD Vance

US Vice-President JD Vance has formally invited Pope Leo to visit Washington, following a warm meeting at the Vatican, the White House has confirmed.

Vance delivered a personal letter from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, urging the Pope to visit the US “as soon as [he] possibly can,” according to spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

During Monday’s meeting, both parties expressed satisfaction with the current state of US–Vatican relations. The discussion also covered religious freedom and the cooperation between church and state, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio present.

The Holy See reported a mutual call for respect for international and humanitarian law in conflict areas, and support for peaceful, negotiated outcomes.

The private audience lasted 45 minutes and included the traditional exchange of gifts. Vance presented Pope Leo with a Chicago Bears t-shirt and two books by St Augustine, while the Pope offered a bronze sculpture inscribed “peace is a fragile flower” and a picture book of the Apostolic Palace.

Vance also held separate talks with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister. Despite past criticisms linked to Pope Leo’s social media account, Vance praised the Chicago-born pontiff, saying the US was “very proud” of him.

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Source: Vatican News