By Katherine Tinsley
8:46am PDT, Apr 21, 2025
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J.D. Vance, who is Catholic, took to X to discuss the loss of Pope Francis.
"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis," the politician wrote. "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."
"I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill," he continued. "But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul."
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According to The Daily Beast, J.D. Vance told Pope Francis, "It's good to see you in better health."
Despite acting cordial, the religious leader seemingly shared his disapproval of Donald Trump's administration after he met with the vice president.
"How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants," Francis wrote in his Easter address.
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Pope Francis bluntly shared there was "an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners."
He later called for a "serene collaboration" between the White House and the Catholic Church in the United States.
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While Pope Francis chose to advocate for migrants in his final hours, J.D. Vance avoided the topic when discussing their time together.
Vance's office told Bloomberg he discussed Donald Trump's "commitment to restoring world peace" with the pope.
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While on the Italian talk show
Che Tempo Che Fa, Pope Francis discussed Donald Trump's hopes to carry out mass deportations.
"If true, this will be a disgrace… This is not the way to solve things," he stated.
"Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups," the leader added.
