Pope Leo XIV met with Vice President JD Vance for a closed-door meeting at the Vatican on Monday morning, the first private conversation between America’s two most high-profile Catholics since the new pontiff was elected.

The much-anticipated encounter came amid a period of tension between the papacy and the White House, particularly over issues of immigration and theology.

The meeting also took place after Leo on Friday said the church could act as a mediator in global conflicts, including, his second-in-command said, between Ukraine and Russia. Following the pope’s inaugural Mass on Sunday, the pope and the vice president each met privately with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.

“I think the Vatican, in particular, the Pope, is going to be a great advocate of world peace,” Mr. Vance said before departing Italy. “So we’re going to find some very important things to work together on.”

Mr. Vance also delivered a letter from Mr. Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, “extending their warm wishes” to the pope and inviting him to the White House, said Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary.

The encounter furthered hope for some on the American right that their relationship with the Holy See might be in for a reset, after years of conflict with Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, who criticized some of President Trump’s views as “not Christian.” Francis frequently clashed with Republican priorities, particularly on immigration, during both Trump presidencies, and was known to find more partnership with Democrats on goals like environmental protection and the Iran nuclear deal.