Vice President JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass.
Vice President JD Vance is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission this weekend, traveling to Vatican City to attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo, noted as the first American pontiff in history. Pope Leo, who has previously expressed critical views on the Trump administration’s immigration policies, ascended to the papacy following the recent conclave that took place on May 8, which elected Cardinal Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago, to lead the Catholic Church.
Accompanying Vance on this historic visit will be his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his spouse, Jeanette Rubio. The vice president’s office has confirmed these arrangements, highlighting the significance of this gathering for both American and Vatican relations.
Vance holds the distinction of being the first converted Catholic to serve as vice president of the United States. Notably, he had an audience with Pope Francis, the late pontiff, just one day before Francis’s passing on Easter Monday. The meeting occurred during a series of public appearances by Pope Francis, who had recently been hospitalized due to double pneumonia. The official cause of the late pope’s death was a stroke followed by irreversible cardiac arrest.
The newly elected Pope Leo previously maintained a minimal presence on social media, particularly on X, a platform he engaged with before his elevation to the papacy. His account, which had been dormant since July 2023, was revived shortly after his election and has been used to address issues related to immigration and critique statements made by Vance regarding prioritization in love and care for one’s community and neighbors.
Vance’s comments during a recent Fox News appearance drew attention, as he suggested a hierarchy in love that extends from family to fellow citizens before reaching the global community. This statement has been met with public discourse, including responses from the new pope, who emphasized a more inclusive perspective on love and compassion.
As of now, there has been no confirmation from the White House regarding President Trump’s potential attendance at Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass on Sunday. The president is currently in the United Arab Emirates as part of his Middle Eastern engagements. This upcoming event holds great significance for the interplay of U.S. politics and global religious diplomacy, marking a new chapter in the relationship between American leadership and the Vatican.
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