US Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, attended a private Mass celebrated by Franciscan friars at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on Thursday during a three-day diplomatic trip to Israel.
Vance, the second Catholic vice president of the United States, met with a group of bishops and confessed before Mass, according to the White House reporter pool report.
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The Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher was built at the beginning of the 4th century during the reign of Constantine the Greatthe first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. It is administered jointly by the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and four Eastern Orthodox Churches.
According to tradition, the church is built on the site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a premier pilgrimage destination for Christians visiting the Holy Land.
“What an incredible blessing to have visited the place of Christ’s death and resurrection,” Vance later said. in a post on X. “I am enormously grateful to the Greek, Armenian and Catholic priests who care for this most holy place. May the Prince of Peace have mercy on us and bless our efforts for peace.”
During his visit, Vance knelt in silent prayer in front of the Anointing Stone. Many believe that this is the stone on which the body of Jesus Christ was anointed with oils and balms before his burial.
He also prayed at the Calvary Altar, believed to be the place where Christ was crucified.
According to the reporter pool report, Vance and his wife lit candles in the church. Vance also lit two candles with fire from Christ’s tomb to take back to the United States.
“We are sending these lights to the White House,” said an Armenian Orthodox bishop, according to the press pool report. “May God bless America, the United States and Armenia and our friendship.”
Vance’s trip to Israel comes as the White House works with Israel and Hamas to maintain a ceasefire, which ended a two-year war in Gaza. Earlier during his trip, he asked Christians to pray for peace in the region.
“Christians have many titles for Jesus Christ, and one of them is the Prince of Peace,” the vice president said. “And I would ask people of all faiths, particularly my Christian brothers, to pray that the Prince of Peace can continue to work a miracle in this region of the world.”
“I think with your prayers and with the providence of God, and with a very good team behind me, I think we will make it,” he said.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter for the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in a variety of outlets, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative, and The Federalist.