JD Vance invites Pope Leo XIV to the White House after Vatican conversations

US Vice President JD Vance invited Pope Leo to make an official visit to Washington after a “heartfelt” meeting of the Vatican, the White House confirmed.

Vance handed Ponif a letter from President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump invited him to visit “as soon as (he) is possible,” said White House spokesman Carolyn Levit.

In a statement, the Holy See stated that both sides had expressed satisfaction with the US -Vatican relations during face -to -face conversations on Monday.

The meeting comes after Vance – a practicing Catholic – joined other dignitaries and worshipers of the Pope’s introductory liturgy on Sunday.

Religious freedom and cooperation between the church and the state were also discussed on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also been reported.

“Finally, there was an exchange of views on current international issues with a shared call for respect for humanitarian and international law in the zones of conflict and support to negotiate decisions among the participating countries,” the Holy See statement said.

The papal audience lasted 45 minutes, Vance spokesman said. It was held behind closed doors without reporters present.

There was the usual exchange of gifts, with Vance handed Pope Leo T -shirt for the Chicago bears – an American football team from the Pope’s birthplace – supplemented by his name. The Vance Office said he also gave Pontiff two books from St. Augustine.

Meanwhile, the Pope gave Vice President a bronze sculpture with the inscription “Peace is a fragile flower” in an Italian and picture book of the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace – the official residence of the Pope.

The Vatican stated that Vance also had positive conversations with Archbishop Paul Richard Galagire, who is responsible for the diplomatic relations of the Holy See.

Pope Leo, who became the first American to lead the Catholic Church earlier this month, appeared earlier to make veiled criticism of Vance and the migration position of the Trump administration.

In February, an X account under the name of Leo shared criticism of the White House plans for mass deportation of migrants.

The same month of the account also shared a link to an opinion, entitled: “JD VANCE is wrong: Jesus does not ask us to rank our love for others.”

The Vatican has not responded to previous BBC News requests to confirm whether the account belongs to Pope Leo.

On Sunday, Vance said the United States is “very proud” from the Chicago Pontif born.

“Certainly our prayers go with him when he begins this very important work,” the Vice-President said.