Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican on Monday. This was their first meeting since the Pope's election and follows recent tensions between the papacy and the White House regarding immigration and theology. The meeting occurred after Pope Leo suggested the church could mediate global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Following the papal meeting, Vance also met with the Vatican's foreign minister, resulting in a statement affirming good bilateral relations.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.