After the Mass celebrating the beginning of his pontificate, which was attended by various heads of state, kings and other figures of world significance, Pope Leo XIV begins his diplomatic duties.
On May 19, he privately met with the United States Vice President, J. D. Vance, and the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in the papal library.
So far, details of the meeting have not been released, but the Americans subsequently spoke with a senior Vatican diplomat on American and international affairs.
The 45-minute audience began with an individual meeting between Vance and the Pope, which Rubio joined subsequently. The Second Lady, Usha Vance; Rubio’s wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio; and the larger American delegation joined for the final part of the meeting, which included the customary exchange of gifts.
During the cordial conversations at the Secretariat of State, Mr. Vance and Archbishop Gallagher reiterated the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States.
They also addressed cooperation between the Church and the U.S. government, as well as several issues of particular relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom.
At the same time, Vance delivered an invitation from Donald Trump to come visit the United States.