Vance Says Pope Francis Had 'Disagreements' With Trump Admin Policies
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Vice President JD Vance has reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis and their recent meeting, acknowledging policy disagreements but emphasizing the pontiff's lasting impact as a pastoral leader.
Speaking to reporters in Agra, India, on Wednesday, Vance addressed questions about whether he would attend the pope's upcoming funeral and shared personal insights into their encounter, which occurred less than a day before the pope's death.
"I'm aware he had disagreements with some of the policies of our administration," Vance said. "He also had a lot of agreements with the policies of our administration. I'm not going to soil the man's legacy by talking about politics. I think he was a great Christian pastor and that's how I choose to remember the holy father."
Pope Francis receives U.S. Vice President JD Vance before bestowing the Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025.
Pope Francis receives U.S. Vice President JD Vance before bestowing the Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025.
Vatican Media via AP, HO
Why It Matters
Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, just hours after meeting Vance during his Easter Sunday visit to the Vatican. The two exchanged greetings in what became one of Francis' final public interactions. Vance, a Catholic convert since 2019, described the meeting as "a great blessing."
The pope had publicly criticized some Trump administration policies, particularly on immigration. In 2016, Francis addressed then-candidate Donald Trump's proposal to build a border wall, stating: "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian."
Vance acknowledged these differences during remarks at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast earlier this year. "My goal is not to litigate with him or any other clergy member about who's right and who's wrong," he said, according to CBS News.
During Sunday's meeting, the vice president greeted the pope, who was seated in a wheelchair. "I know you've not been feeling great, but it's good to see you in better health," he said in a video released by the Vatican.
When Is Pope Francis' Funeral?
Francis' funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in St. Peter's Square, following three days of public viewing beginning Wednesday at St. Peter's Basilica. His body will be buried at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major in a simple wooden casket, per his request.
Who Will Attend Pope Francis' Funeral?
Among the world leaders confirmed to attend are President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who announced their plans to be present in Rome.
Other global dignitaries expected at the service include Argentinian President Javier Milei, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish President Andrzej Duda, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Several royal figures will also attend, including the heir to the British throne Prince William and the Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking to reporters on Monday, said conversations about the broader U.S. delegation were ongoing. Vance has not committed to attending, stating: "I'm not currently planning to attend his funeral, I'm not currently planning not to attend his funeral, we just haven't thought that much about when his funeral is going to be and who is going to attend from our government."
A Final Encounter
For Vance, the recent encounter with Francis was a deeply personal moment.
"I've thought a lot about that. It's pretty crazy, actually, and obviously when I saw him I didn't know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth, I think it was a great blessing," Vance told reporters.
The vice president shared his condolences on social media.
"My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He highlighted one of Francis' homilies delivered during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it "really quite beautiful."
"The thing that I will always remember Pope Francis for is that he was a great pastor. People on the margins, poor people, people suffering from diseases, they saw in Pope Francis an advocate and I think a true expression of Christian love," Vance told reporters.
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