Pope Leo XIV Meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV held a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican. The meeting, which took place on May 19, 2025, included a private one-on-one between the Pope and Vance, followed by discussions with Rubio. Key topics included collaboration between Church and State, religious freedom, and international issues, with a focus on humanitarian law. The U.S. delegation gifted the Pope a Chicago Bears jersey.
10 days ago
Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on May 19, 2025 1. The meeting, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in the papal library 1 2. Vance and Rubio led the U.S. delegation to Pope Leo's inaugural Mass 2.
The Vatican's statement indicated that the discussions focused on collaboration between Church and State, matters relevant to ecclesial life and religious freedom, and current international issues 1 2 5 9. The parties expressed satisfaction with the "good bilateral relations" between the Holy See and the United States 5 9. There was also a call for respect for humanitarian and international law in conflict zones and for negotiated solutions 1 2 5 9.
Both the U.S. and the Holy See are actively seeking an end to the conflict in Ukraine 2. Pope Leo XIV has made multiple appeals for a "just and lasting" peace in Ukraine and has offered the Vatican as a location for potential peace talks 2. Vance, Rubio, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also met in Rome to discuss updates on ceasefire negotiations 1 5.
Since his election, Pope Leo XIV has adopted a more pro-Ukraine stance compared to his predecessor 1. He spoke with President Zelenskyy and met with the head of the Greek Ukrainian Catholic Church 1. As a bishop in Peru, then-Bishop Prevost explicitly called Russia's invasion "imperialist in nature" 1.
During the customary exchange of gifts, Vice President Vance presented Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, with a Chicago Bears jersey 1 5. The jersey had "Pope Leo XIV" printed on the back 1 3 5. Photos released by the Vatican showed Vance and Rubio seated in places of honor, usually reserved for heads of state 1 3.
What is the Church's teaching on Church-State collaboration?
This scenario involves a meeting between Pope Leo XIV and high-ranking U.S. government officials. Here's a breakdown of the issues at play:
In essence, a meeting between Pope Leo XIV and U.S. leaders would likely focus on areas of mutual concern, such as promoting human dignity, religious freedom, and the common good. The Church seeks to collaborate with the State while maintaining its autonomy and religious mission, without pursuing any political agenda. The discussions would likely emphasize ethical principles, social justice, and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges.