On Holy Saturday (19 April), senior Vatican diplomats met with US Vice President JD Vance to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding migrants and refugees. The meeting followed months of tension between US church leaders and the Trump administration. Following the meeting, the Vatican expressed hope for “serene collaboration” between the US government and the Catholic Church. Additionally, it acknowledged the Church’s important role in helping the vulnerable.
Tensions over advocacy for migrants and refugees
The meeting came after Vice President Vance, a 2019 convert to Roman Catholicism, suggested that financial interests motivated the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ work with migrants and refugees. Naturally, his comments provoked a swift response from US church leaders.
Moreover, the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid led to the termination of several programmes run by Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities. These are two of the US Church’s major charitable organisations. Earlier this month, the US bishops announced they would no longer collaborate with the US government on refugee resettlement. They cited the administration’s budget cuts, which had made such programmes unsustainable.
Vatican diplomats discuss global crises and US relations
In addition to discussing US church-state relations, Vatican diplomats and Vice President Vance exchanged views on international issues. They focused on countries facing war, political instability, and humanitarian crises. Particular attention was given to the plight of migrants, refugees, and prisoners.
The Vatican’s press office described the meeting as cordial. It included Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister. The Vatican also expressed satisfaction with the “good existing bilateral relations” between the Holy See and the United States. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to protecting freedom of religion and conscience.
Pope Francis’ health and diplomatic relations with the US
As of now, there has been no report of a meeting between Vice President Vance and Pope Francis. This is likely due to the Pope still recovering from a hospitalisation for double pneumonia, where he faced serious health challenges over a five-week period.
Before falling ill, Pope Francis sent a letter to the US bishops. In this letter, he explicitly rejected an interpretation of a theological concept that Vice President Vance had used to justify the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
Furthermore, Cardinal Parolin discussed the differences between the current US administration’s approach to international issues and the Vatican’s stance. He highlighted the suffering caused by the Trump administration’s budget cuts to humanitarian aid.
Parolin also made comments on the ongoing conflict with Hamas, calling the Israeli bombardment of Gaza “humanly horrific and morally unacceptable.” While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defence, he stated that such actions should not involve the destruction of another people or their right to live in their homeland.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Parolin emphasised that peace cannot be imposed. He stressed that any negotiations must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ultimately, he noted that it is up to Ukrainians to decide what they are willing to negotiate or concede.
Vice President Vance is scheduled to depart Italy on 20 April, Easter Sunday.
