On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV at Vatican City. This historic event is significant as Leo becomes the first American pope, marking a momentous occasion for American Catholics.
The U.S. delegation, which also includes Second Lady Usha Vance, was formally announced by the White House, following earlier reports from NBC News and Bloomberg about their anticipated attendance. Leo, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, was elected pope by a conclave just last week.
As a practicing Catholic, Vice President Vance briefly met with Pope Francis before his passing last month. Vance took to social media to congratulate Pope Leo upon his election, stating, “I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!” He expressed optimism for Leo’s leadership, despite acknowledging potential political differences between them.
Vance remarked in an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt that fitting the 2,000-year-old institution of the Catholic Church into contemporary American politics is challenging. He emphasized his hope that Pope Leo will resonate with his viewpoints, while also remaining open to areas of disagreement.
In response to Leo’s election, former President Donald Trump voiced his congratulations, highlighting it as “a Great Honor for our Country” and looking forward to a meeting with the new pope. Trump’s controversial AI-generated image of himself as pope prior to the conclave drew criticism, with some Catholic leaders calling it distasteful.
Pope Leo XIV was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 and has dedicated much of his service in Peru, preparing to lead the global Catholic community facing modern challenges. As the nation watches closely, the hope is that this new papacy will inspire a renewed faith and unity among Catholics worldwide.