US Vice President JD Vance met with the Vatican’s second-highest official, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to discuss migration policies. The meeting comes after Pope Francis criticized the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse, calling it a “major crisis”. Vance, a Catholic convert, has tangled with the Pope over migration policies, with Francis warning that deportation plans would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity.
The discussion between Vance and Parolin touched on the international situation, particularly countries affected by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations. Both sides exchanged opinions on migrants, refugees, and prisoners, despite their differing views on the matter. Vance has defended the administration’s policies, citing Catholic doctrine, while Francis has made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy.
The meeting is part of Vance’s visit to Italy and the Vatican, where he also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss trade tariffs and migration policies. Meloni has positioned herself as a bridge between the US and Europe and received praise from President Donald Trump for her crackdown on migration. Vance’s visit highlights the ongoing debate over migration policies and the complex relationships between the US government, the Vatican, and migrant communities.
Vance’s conversation with Parolin also touched on protecting freedom of religion and conscience, a topic he previously discussed at the Munich Security Conference. The Vatican acknowledged the US Catholic Church’s valuable service to vulnerable people, despite differences in opinion on migration and social justice issues.
