Amid tensions over immigration policy, Pope Francis meets with JD Vance in Rome over Easter.

Pope Francis and U.S. Vice President JD Vance exchanged Easter pleasantries Sunday in Casa Santa Marta, the pope’s official residence in Vatican City, in a meeting full of political overtones and symbolism. This unexpected meeting occurred soon after the pope openly criticized former President Trump’s immigration policies, some of which Vice President Vance has publicly defended. Recently converted to Catholicism, Vance has been in Rome with his family over Holy Week. The Vatican stated that the two had a “brief” talk and exchanged Easter greetings, even though the encounter with the pope was not originally scheduled. Pope Francis’ appearance was all the more noteworthy because the meeting took place while he is still recuperating from a recent hospital stay.

A diplomatic visit is clouded by the migration dispute

 A few weeks earlier, Pope Francis had sent an open letter to American bishops in which he harshly criticized the deportation policies of the Trump administration. “How much contempt is stirred up at times against the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!” the pope said, underscoring the moral necessity of accepting migrants. This letter seems to explicitly address Vance’s use of the theological idea of ordo amoris (order of love) to support such measures. Vance acknowledged the pope’s critiques in his February speech at the civic Catholic Prayer Breakfast, but he reiterated his beliefs about putting family and civic responsibilities first.

Conversation with Vatican Officials via Backchannel

Vice President Vance had private talks with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Foreign Minister, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, the day before his meeting with Pope Francis. The meetings included “an exchange of perspectives” on complicated humanitarian concerns like migration, refugee protection, and the global jail crisis, according to a Vatican statement.

At Easter Mass, Politics and Faith Collide

Because of his health, Pope Francis was unable to preside over Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, but he later emerged on the balcony to bestow his Easter blessings on the thousands of people gathered below. An assistant issued a statement on the pope’s behalf during the ceremony, which was presided over by a cardinal, reaffirming his opposition to anti-immigration sentiments and calling for international compassion.