Pope Leo XIV met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the Vatican on Monday, where the two discussed international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. The meeting came just hours after the formal mass inaugurating Leo’s historic pontificate as the first American pope.
Vance led the U.S. delegation to the ceremony. He was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Vance’s spokesperson Luke Schroeder.
🇺🇸✝️ Pope Leo XIV greets Vice President J.D. Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio following his Inaugural Mass at the Vatican. pic.twitter.com/NnSiSbLw7u
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 18, 2025
Vance passed along a letter to the pope from the U.S. President Donald Trump inviting him to the White House, said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. A Vatican statement described the encounter as “an exchange of views on some current international issues,” emphasizing respect for humanitarian and international law and the need for negotiated solutions to ongoing conflicts.
Vance’s visit marked the beginning of a series of private audiences Pope Leo held Monday with international guests attending his inaugural Mass. Other attendees included Christian leaders and a delegation from Chiclayo, Peru, where Leo previously served as bishop.
