U.S. Vice President JD Vance—a traditionalist Catholic convert—made a splashy visit to the Vatican this week. While on his trip, he had an audience with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the chief diplomat for Pope Francis. The visit was unfortunate, of course, for taking place against the backdrop of Vance’s and the Pope’s long-running feud over the latter’s radical progressive agenda. While Vance has frequently clashed with Francis’s vision, he adopted a more conciliatory tone during this visit, acknowledging the Pope’s efforts to care for his flock.
That meeting happened in an atmosphere dominated by last ditch negotiations between the European Union and United States. Vance’s discussions with Parolin focused on several pressing global issues, including migration, prisoners, refugees, and humanitarian challenges faced by countries afflicted by war. Their back-and-forth was refreshingly amicable, given that the U.S. migration policy scene has become a horror show. Other recent cuts to USAID also raised the ire of the Vatican.
As he did when meeting with his Italian counterpart, Vance stressed the deep connections connecting Italy and the United States during his call with Parolin. He pressed the need for continued cooperation between Washington and Brussels, especially with major tariff negotiations approaching. The Vice President’s presence at the Vatican raised eyebrows among those close to Pope Francis, who remain skeptical of his alignment with the Church’s social teachings.
One individual close to Francis remarked, “The pope has no great love for neither Vance nor Trump.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding Vance’s positions on migration and human rights, which some believe conflict with the Church’s social doctrine. Another source familiar with the Vatican’s inner workings stated, “He has positions which are against the social doctrine of the Church, for migration, and human rights, and so on.”
The meeting’s atmosphere indicated a potential shift in Vance’s approach. He has opposed the Pope’s positive reforms every single step of the way. For this leg of his trip, he took a more diplomatic approach. In the process of praising Francis for his pastoral focus, Vance tipped his hand and looked for points of ideological agreement, not enmity.
Vance’s discussions touched upon the Trump administration’s cuts to USAID—a move that has been seen by the Vatican as an affront to its charitable efforts worldwide. The Church has opposed these cuts as damaging the life-saving support offered to vulnerable populations around the world.
As Vance explored these politically charged issues at the Vatican, he was criticized from both the left and the right. Supporters noted that he was out to connect with Church leaders. This last-minute maneuver endangered alienating progressive Catholics, the very ones who are most enthusiastic about Pope Francis’s agenda. An Italian official commented on the situation, saying, “In practical terms, I think nothing has changed so far,” underscoring the persistent divide between traditionalist factions and progressive elements within the Church.
The Vice President’s meeting with Parolin was perceived as an opportunity for Vance to align himself with Trump’s broader criticisms of Europe and its institutions. Just earlier this year, President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Brussels. It will be very interesting to see if Vance walks the same walk going forward.
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