Vance’s visit was not without political sensitivities, and he met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin for what the Vatican described as “an exchange of opinions.”

Pope Francis held a private meeting at the Vatican on Sunday morning with Vice President JD Vance, the Vatican said in a statement. Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration's immigration policies, met Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, the statement said.