Vice President JD Vance was one of the last people to meet with Pope Francis hours before he died from double pneumonia and heart failure on Easter Sunday.
Vance met with the wheelchair-bound Pope in the Vatican. He entered the room and reached down for the Pope’s hand. “Hello,” the vice president said. “So good to see you.”
According to the Associated Press, a Vatican staffer presented Vice President Vance with chocolate Easter eggs. “These are for your children,” the Pope said. The chocolate eggs were followed by a tray of gifts, including rosaries and a Vatican tie.
“Thank you,” Vance said as he held up the dark tie. “So beautiful.”
Vance and Pope Francis posed for a photo. “I pray for you every day,” Vance said. “God bless you.”
In a post on X (Twitter) after the meeting, Vance wrote: “Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am grateful for his invitation to meet, and I pray for his good health. Happy Easter!”
Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am grateful for his invitation to meet, and I pray for his good health.
Happy Easter! pic.twitter.com/SIhU9gYQl2
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) April 20, 2025
Hours later, the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis. He was 88.
President Donald Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social app: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Vance wrote on X: “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.”
