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First American pope welcomes Vance and Rubio for private Vatican audience

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Pope Leo XIV on Monday held a private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, according to the Holy See Press Office.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife, Jeanette, were also at the private meeting, according to Vatican News.

Vance, Rubio and their wives had attended the pope’s inaugural mass on Sunday.

Vance and Rubio

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette arrive to attend a Holy Mass for the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, in St Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025. (Getty Images)

The two also discussed the collaboration between the Church and the U.S. government as well as “some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom.”

“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” the Holy See Press Office said.

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