JD Vance visit Italy and the Vatican after undertaking with the Pope on migration

Rome (AP) – American vice -president JD Vance arrived in Rome on Friday for meetings with Vatican No. 2 and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, fresh out of the Italian chef’s visit to the White House a day earlier.

Meloni, who positioned himself as a bridge between the United States and Europe, received praise from President Donald Trump for his repression against migration at a meeting at the Oval Office on Thursday.

The second Lady Usha Vance returns to the American vice-president, JD Vance, carrying their daughter Mirabel while landing Air Force Two when he arrived at GB Pastine-Rome Ciampino airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Vice -president JD Vance, transporting their daughter Mirabel and the second lady Usha Vance Air Force Two on arrival at GB Pastine – Reampina Airpallage Ciampino, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, swimming pool)

US vice-president JD VANCE, second on the right, is greeted by civil servants of the Italian government when he arrived at GB Pastine-Résion Ciampino airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, Pool)

The Italian government officials lean like vice-president JD Vance and his family arrive at GB Pastine-Rése Ciampino airport, aboard the Air Force two, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Vice-president JD Vance arrives in Rome, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Proof of presentation

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The second Lady Usha Vance returns to the American vice-president, JD Vance, carrying their daughter Mirabel while landing Air Force Two when he arrived at GB Pastine-Rome Ciampino airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston / The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Develop

Vance, who attended the meetings, was to meet the Italian chief on Friday in Rome and planned to attend the Easter weekend events at the Vatican.

He was to meet the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Paroline, said the White House.

No meeting with Pope Francis has been announced. The 88 -year -old pope brutally reduced his work schedule while he recovers in an almost deadly case of double pneumonia.

Francis and Vance, a Catholic convert, strongly got into migration and plans of the Trump administration to expel mass migrants.

A few days before his hospitalization, Francis castigated the expulsion plans for the administration, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. In a letter to the American bishops, Francis also responded directly to Vance for affirming that Catholic doctrine justified such policies.

Vance recognized Francis’ criticism, but said that he would continue to defend his opinions.

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Originally published: April 18, 2025 at 5:08 a.m.