In a heartfelt homage, JD Vance expressed his sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 shortly after meeting Vance on Easter Sunday.
Vance, a Catholic convert since 2019, took to X to convey his condolences, stating, "I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."
`He further reflected on their recent encounter, noting, "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But Ill 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."
According to The New York Post, the Pope's demise followed a prolonged struggle with double pneumonia. The Vatican described Vance's meeting with the pontiff as "brief," with the Vice President primarily engaging with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Peter Gallagher, the foreign minister.
This limited interaction may have been influenced by the Pope's outspoken criticism of President Trump's immigration policies, which he argued undermined the dignity of migrants. In a February letter to U.S. bishops, the Pope condemned these policies as a "major crisis," asserting that deportation "damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness."
Despite their ideological differences, Vance and Pope Francis shared a cordial exchange, with the pontiff presenting Vance with three chocolate Easter eggs for his children. This gesture underscored the Pope's enduring commitment to compassion and dialogue, even amidst political disagreements.
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