US Vice President JD Vance meets with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and delivers an official invitation to visit the White House and Donald Trump

United States Vice President JD Vance met today at the Vatican with Pope Leo XIV, who is the first leader of the World Catholic Church from the United States.

During the meeting, Vance delivered an official invitation to the Holy Father to visit the United States.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said the Pope received Vance in audience this morning and that "it was a good and productive meeting." She also explained that President Trump "looks forward to seeing Pope Leo in Washington as soon as he has the opportunity to come."

Vance, who was harshly criticized in the past by the late Pope Francis for the Trump administration's tough approach to immigration, handed the Pope a personal letter stating that it was from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who "invite you to come."

The Pope, sitting across from Vance in his official office in the Apostolic Palace, received the letter and, according to a video released by the Vatican, was heard saying: "once upon a time" (meaning: perhaps in the future).

The Vatican did not immediately comment on the invitation issue.

In an official statement, the Holy See confirmed the meeting between Vance and Pope Leo, but did not provide further details about their talks. For his part, Vance's spokesman said that they initially met face-to-face, before being joined by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic.

During the meeting, Vance presented the Pope with a blue and orange Chicago Bears American football team jersey with the inscription "Papa Leon" and the number "XIV" (14 in Roman numerals).

After meeting with the Pope, Vance also met with officials from the Vatican Secretariat of State, the Catholic Church's top diplomatic body. A Vatican statement described the talks as "warm."

"The meeting saw an exchange of views on various international issues, emphasizing the need for respect for international and humanitarian law in conflict zones and for finding a negotiated solution between the parties involved," the Vatican statement said.

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