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Pope Leo XIV on Monday held a private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, according to the Holy See Press Office.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife, Jeanette, were also at the private meeting, according to Vatican News.
Vance, Rubio and their wives had attended the pope's inaugural mass on Sunday.
POPE LEO SAYS FAMILY BASED ON ‘UNION BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN,’ DEFENDS DIGNITY OF UNBORN
Pope Leo XIV talks to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha after a Holy mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter's basilica in The Vatican on May 18, 2025. (Getty Images)
After the private audience with the first American pope on Monday, Vance met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, the Holy See Press Office said.
Vance and Gallagher had "cordial" talks in the Secretariat of State, where they reiterated good bilateral relations between the U.S. government and the Holy See.
POPE LEO XIV VOWS TO WORK FOR UNITY, PEACE DURING INAUGURAL MASS
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette arrive to attend a Holy Mass for the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, in St Peter's Square on May 18, 2025. (Getty Images)
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The two also discussed the collaboration between the Church and the U.S. government 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," the Holy See Press Office said.
