Vice President JD Vance recently shared what it was like to be one of the last people to meet Pope Francis before his passing. During a trip to India, a reporter asked him, “How does it feel knowing you were maybe one of the last officials to meet with him before he died?”
Vance paused and said, “Yeah, you know, I’ve thought a lot about that. I mean, it’s pretty crazy, actually. And obviously, when I saw him, I didn’t know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth. I think it was a great blessing. But, you know, he saw a lot of people. I think he affected a lot of lives. And I try to just remember that 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.”
.@VP JD Vance on being one of the last officials to meet Pope Francis before died: “I thought a lot about that. It’s pretty crazy, actually. Obviously when I saw him I didn’t know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth. I think it was a great blessing.” pic.twitter.com/L6OL5CaWC5
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 23, 2025
Just days earlier, over Easter weekend, Vance visited the Vatican. He met with some top leaders of the Catholic Church, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States. The meetings took place inside the Apostolic Palace, the heart of the Vatican.
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Later, Vance also had a short meeting with Pope Francis himself. The Pope, who had been ill for a long time, was in a wheelchair during their conversation. Even though he was weak, he welcomed the Vice President warmly. Vance told the Pope, “I know you’ve not been feeling well, but it’s good to see you in better health.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings. Read more here: https://t.co/C6CbGxcAev pic.twitter.com/VyqxvZ10A9
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 21, 2025
Sadly, Pope Francis passed away the next day. The news shocked people worldwide. Vance expressed his sadness in a tweet, calling the Pope’s early COVID-19 homily “unforgettable” and asking for prayers.
The Vatican later released a statement about Vance’s meeting. It said that the discussions focused on international issues, especially countries facing war, political problems, and humanitarian crises. They also talked about migrants, refugees, and prisoners.
The statement said both sides shared hope for peaceful cooperation between the Catholic Church and the U.S. government. It also noted the Church’s role in helping the most vulnerable people in America.
Vance, who is Catholic, said the experience was moving and that he would never forget the Pope’s kindness and wisdom, even in his final hours. He shared how special it felt to sit with such a respected spiritual leader during Easter, a significant time for Christians.
However, many people online had mixed reactions. Some praised Vance for showing respect and sharing kind words. Others pointed out that he had often disagreed with Pope Francis on political issues, especially about immigration and social policies. Some critics even suggested that the meeting felt forced or awkward due to their past tensions.
In 2024, Pope Francis had even written an open letter, criticizing U.S. leaders who supported harsh immigration policies. He warned that these actions were creating a “moral and spiritual crisis.” Vance had defended some of those policies in the past, using older Catholic teachings as support.
Now, as the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, leaders across the globe are sharing messages of sympathy. Many remember him as a humble and caring figure who dedicated his life to promoting peace and justice.
The Vatican is now preparing for the funeral and the process of selecting a new pope. It’s a time of sadness, reflection, and change for millions of Catholics worldwide.
Featured inage via Screengrab
