VATICAN CITY – May 18, 2024 – CWEB News can exclusively report that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met privately with Pope Leo XIV earlier today, just hours before the pontiff’s historic inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square. The two prominent Catholic leaders, accompanied by their spouses, Usha Vance and Jeanette Rubio, arrived in Vatican City as part of a high-profile U.S. delegation honoring the first U.S.-born pope in Catholic Church history.
The Vice President’s office confirmed the meeting, describing it as a “profound honor” and highlighting the importance of the occasion.
“Today’s dialogue with His Holiness reflects the deep spiritual bond between American leadership and the global Catholic community,” Vance’s team said in a statement.
Both Vance and Rubio—leading figures within the Republican Party and widely considered potential 2028 presidential candidates—praised Pope Leo XIV’s historic ascension.
“This is a historic day for American Catholics and people of faith worldwide,” said Secretary Rubio. “We are blessed to witness a pope whose life and values resonate so deeply with our nation’s principles.”
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Vice President Vance, only the second Catholic to hold the office, has cultivated a growing relationship with the Vatican. In April, he visited Pope Francis during Easter celebrations—a poignant encounter that occurred just one day before the late pontiff’s passing. Following Pope Leo XIV’s election, Vance posted on social media:
“Millions of American Catholics and Christians will pray for his sacred mission. May God guide him as he leads the Church into a new era.”
CWEB News also highlights the growing camaraderie between Vance and Rubio, both of whom have publicly downplayed speculation of political rivalry.
“Marco and I share a commitment to faith, family, and service,” Vance said recently. “This moment is about unity, not division.”
The delegation’s attendance at today’s inaugural Mass underscores the global diplomatic significance of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate—not just for the Vatican, but for U.S.-Vatican relations, cultural diplomacy, and religious leadership.
As the world watches the dawn of a new chapter in Church history, Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio stand at the center of a moment that intertwines faith, leadership, and the future of American Catholicism.
