When US Vice-President JD Vance visits Rome on Friday, he intends to meet with Italy’s Prime Minister and the Vatican Secretary of State. His primary goal, however, is a potential encounter with Pope Francis, an aspiration that conveys significant symbolic and political weight, especially amid Easter celebrations. While such a meeting could symbolize a reconciliation between the Vatican and Washington following recent tensions over issues like migration and leadership, it is uncertain due to the Pope’s health, which has declined recently. Despite this, the vice-president’s visit includes a confirmed meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, indicating a shared alignment in views, particularly on policies regarding migration. Vance’s visit serves as his first to Europe since he critiqued European leaders on matters of free speech, political correctness, and national identity at the Munich Security Conference in February, suggesting strained relations that reach into his potential interaction with the Vatican.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxn21l37d7o
