Video: Pope Leo receives US VP Vance, Rubio at Vatican

Abdullateef Fowewe

Pope Leo XIV met with United States Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Monday, a day after his inaugural Mass as the newly elected leader of the Catholic Church.

Video link: Pope Leo receives US VP Vance, Rubio at Vatican

The Vatican released images showing Vance and Rubio sharing a warm exchange with the Chicago-born pontiff, who was elected on May 8 to lead the Church’s 1.4 billion members worldwide.

Following the meeting with the pope, Vice President Vance also held talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States.

The Vatican said in a statement, “During the cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State, satisfaction at the good bilateral relations was reiterated, and the collaboration between Church and State was discussed, as well as some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom.

“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved.”