US vice president JD Vance has issued a statement as Pope Francis died just hours after meeting with him.
The pope passed away at the age of 88, it was announced on Monday morning, less than one day after he emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
He met with Vance briefly on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
The pope offered the Catholic vice president three chocolate Easter eggs for his three young children, who did not attend, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the pope on Sunday.
The Vatican said the pair met for a few minutes, with Vance's motorcade on Vatican territory for a total of 17 minutes.
"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 of Covid. It was really quite beautiful.
"May God rest his soul."
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
Vance shared a link to an address given by Pope Francis on March 27, 2020, in which he said: "In this storm, the façade of those stereotypes with which we camouflaged our egos, always worrying about our image, has fallen away, uncovering once more that (blessed) common belonging, of which we cannot be deprived."
Francis was admitted to hospital in February for bronchitis treatment before being later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
He suffered a "prolonged respiratory crisis" on February 22 which left him in a critical condition, and he remained in hospital for the next month.
Francis was discharged from hospital on March 23, and on Sunday he greeted crowds at the Easter Sunday service.
Just days before he was admitted to hospital in February, Francis criticised the Trump administration’s deportation plans, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity.
In a letter to US bishops, Francis also appeared to respond to Vance directly for having claimed that Catholic doctrine justified such policies.
Vance acknowledged the criticism but said he will continue to defend his views.
The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration while seeking to continue productive relations in keeping with its tradition of diplomatic neutrality.
It has expressed alarm over the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in international aid while insisting on peaceful resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
