The world today is mourning Pope Francis, who died early Monday at the age of 88 after months of declining health. And it turned out that the final meeting the Pontiff had before his passing was with Vice President J.D. Vance, on Easter Sunday.
Per an Associated Press story, the meeting followed days of back-and-forth in which Pope Francis was critical of the Trump Administration’s immigration and deportation policies. The meeting ultimately took place in a meeting room at the Vatican, and the Pope gifted Vance with “three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children… as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.”
Vance is a convert to the Catholic faith and was received into the Church in 2019. On the visit, he also met with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” the vice president told the pope during the meeting, per the AP story. “Thank you for seeing me.”
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The Pontiff’s passing was announced by the Vatican the following morning, Vatican time.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, The Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church,” the Holy See said in a statement.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of God, One and Triune.’’
Upon learning of the pope’s passing, Vance shared his condolences on X.
I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance said in the post. “But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
Former president Joe Biden, also a Catholic, also shared condolences, including a photograph of himself with the late Pope Francis:
It is with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him. For decades, he served… pic.twitter.com/GsE03QNoHj
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 21, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
