Pope Leo XIV, the first American born pontiff, met U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Monday morning, the Holy See announced.
Vance and Rubio, both devout Catholics, and their wives had a “cordial” meeting with Pope Leo XIV about relations between the U.S. and the Vatican, and finding solutions to international conflicts.
“During the cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State, satisfaction was once again expressed at the existing good bilateral relations, and the collaboration between Church and State was discussed, as well as some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom,” the Holy See announced.
“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, during which hope was expressed that humanitarian law and international law be respected in areas of conflict and that there be a negotiated solution between the parties involved.”
The Holy Father has called for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere in a similar manner to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. The Trump administration is attempting to negotiate cease-fire deals to end both conflicts, thus far achieving mixed results. Rubio thanked the Holy See last week for its involvement in peace talks as he met with top Vatican officials and toured Vatican City in the days leading up to Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass.
Vance and Rubio led the U.S. delegation to Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass Sunday in St. Peter’s Square. At Mass, both men and their wives, Usha and Jeanette, briefly exchanged pleasantries with Leo as they joined over 200,000 Catholics in celebrating the new Pope.
“It was an honor to join so many of the faithful at the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV this morning!” Vance said Sunday.
“I was honored to join @VP and @SLOTUS as part of the official U.S. delegation for the inaugural mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square today. As the first American pontiff begins his sacred ministry, let us unite in prayer for @Pontifex,” Rubio said on X.
The College of Cardinals elected Leo the 267th Pope earlier this month after a brief papal conclave following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Vance famously met with Pope Francis on Easter, the day before he died, making him one of the last people to do so.
Pope Leo XIV marked the official start of his pontificate with a call for unity and a renewed called for Christ-like love in a time of deep division and violence.
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling,” the Pope said. “I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.”