Vatican holds 'cordial' talks with Vance after criticisms of Trump policies

Vatican and U.S. officials discuss international issues and criticize Trump administration policies in cordial talks.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance went to the Vatican on Saturday to meet senior Catholic Church officials who have been sharply critical of his administration’s policies, in the first such in-person talks of the second Trump presidency.

Mr. Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with Pope Francis over U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and his chief deputy.

The two sides had “cordial talks” that included “an exchange of opinions on the international situation,” according to a Vatican statement after the meeting.

Mr. Vance and Mr. Parolin spoke “especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners,” the statement read.

Pope Francis, who is limiting his public appearances on doctors’ orders as he recovers from double pneumonia, did not take part in the meeting. Mr. Vance is visiting Italy over the Easter weekend.

The pope, Mr. Parolin and other Vatican officials have criticised several Trump administration policies, including Mr. Trump’s plans to deport millions of migrants from the U.S. and his widespread cuts to foreign aid and domestic welfare programmes.

“This visit takes place in a delicate moment,” said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic at Villanova University who has followed the papacy closely. “This relationship with the U.S. is a very high priority right now for the Vatican.”