special meeting

Vice President JD Vance says it was 'a great blessing' to meet Pope Francis 24 hours before his death

Their meeting came after Vance and the Pope experienced disagreements over immigration policies.

Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City

APRIL 23, 2025 2:09 PM EDTAPR 23, 2025, 2:09 PM EDT

Vice President JD Vance shared his thoughts on meeting Pope Francis during what would become the pontiff’s final 24 hours on earth. Reflecting on the meeting in Vatican City, he admitted that the encounter was "pretty crazy," especially considering he did not know at the time that the Pope would be close to death.

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“When I saw him, I didn’t know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth,” Vance told reporters in Agra, India. "I think it was a great blessing," he added.

Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta

Vance is currently on a four-day diplomatic trip to India with his wife, Usha, the first Hindu American second lady. Usha's parents emigrated from India to the U.S., making the visit a special one for the family.

Their time in India follows a trip to Italy last week, where they participated in Holy Week events. Although Vance has not yet finalized his plans, he mentioned that attending Pope Francis’ funeral could be a possibility in the coming days.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance attend the celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday as part of the Holy Week

Describing his brief visit with the Pope on Easter Sunday, Vance explained that while he knew Pope Francis was gravely ill, he did not fully grasp the extent of his condition. He also emphasized the profound impact the Pope had on many.

“The thing that I will always remember Pope Francis for is that he was a great pastor,” Vance said. “People on the margins, poor people, people suffering from diseases, they saw in Pope Francis an advocate and I think, a true expression of Christian love.”

“I was lucky that I got to shake his hand and tell him that I pray for him every day, because I did and I do,” Vance said, recalling the deep respect he holds for the Pope.

Their meeting came after Vance and the Pope had experienced sharp disagreements over immigration policies. While Vance acknowledged these differences, he chose to emphasize the importance of honoring the Pope's legacy.

Adding that we would not "soil the man’s legacy by talking about politics," Vance went on to express hope for the Cardinals’ selection of the next Pope.

“I’ll say a prayer for wisdom for the Cardinals,” he shared. “I want them to pick somebody who will be good for the world’s Catholics. But I’ll let them make that decision, and obviously, they’re entitled to do so.”