VATICAN CITY: US Vice-President JD Vance went to the Vatican on Saturday to meet senior Catholic Church officials who have been sharply critical of his administration's policies, in the first such in-person talks of the second Trump presidency. The two sides had "cordial talks" that included "an exchange of opinions on the international situation," according to a Vatican statement after the meeting.
Vance and Parolin spoke "especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners," the statement read.
Francis, who is limiting his public appearances on doctors' orders as he recovers from double pneumonia, did not take part in the meeting. Vance is visiting Italy over the Easter weekend. The pope, Parolin and other Vatican officials have criticised several Trump administration policies, including Trump's plans to deport millions of migrants from the US and his widespread cuts to foreign aid and domestic welfare programmes.
"This visit takes place in a delicate moment," said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic at Villanova University who has followed the papacy closely. "This relationship with the US is a very high priority right now for the Vatican." — Reuters
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