JD Vance and Cardinal Parolin speak in the Vatican about immigrants and armed conflicts

The United States Vice President JD Vance, addressed with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the “difficult humanitarian situations” of the world “with special attention to emigrants, refugees and prisoners”, while renewing his commitment to the protection of “religious freedom.”

During Vance’s official visit to the Vatican – in which in addition to Cardinal Parolin there was the secretary for relations with international states and organizations, Mons. Paul Richard Gallagher – “there was an exchange of opinions on the international situation,” according to the Vatican press office in a statement.

Specifically, during the conversation, particular attention was paid to the countries affected by armed conflicts, “political tensions and humanitarian crises” and other issues such as the situation “of migrants, refugees and prisoners” were addressed in parallel, as well as other issues of common interest, the Vatican said.

During the cordial encounter, both parties expressed “their satisfaction for the good state of bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States, reaffirming their shared commitment in the defense of the right to religious and conscientious freedom,” he said in the statement.

Finally, the desire for a serene and fruitful collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States was expressed, recognizing the valuable service provided to the most vulnerable people in society.

At the moment it is not planned that Vance meets Pope Francis, who continues with his convalescence in Santa Marta for bilateral pneumonia that endangered his life twice. However, a private visit to his residence of the Vatican is not excluded as it happened with the greeting to the kings of the United Kingdom, Carlos III and Camila, during his official visit to Italy.

The delegation of the American vice president arrived in the Vatican by the Vïa della Coniliazione shortly before 10.00 (local time) was formed by several tens of vehicles and entered through the arc of the bells, the income reserved for state visits.

A greeting by Pope Francis is not planned that continues to recover after being discharged on March 23 after 38 days admitted to the Gemelli Hospital for bilateral pneumonia.

The American vice president, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, participated yesterday Good Friday in Rito de la Pasión del Lord in the Basilica of San Pedro del Vaticano, which was officiated by the prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti. The president sat in the front row against the altar, where the liturgy of the word was officiated, and was accompanied by his wife Usha and his three children.