Pope Leo XIV held a private audience on Monday with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican, as part of a growing diplomatic effort to end the war in Ukraine.
The meeting comes just days after the Chicago-born pontiff officially began his papacy during an inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square, attended by over 200,000 dignitaries, royals, and members of the public.
Photographs released by the Vatican showed Pope Leo XIV warmly greeting Vance and Rubio, both of whom were in Rome representing the United States in a bid to promote peace in the conflict that erupted following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Vatican confirmed that Vance also held discussions with the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. The talks were described as “cordial,” with both sides expressing “satisfaction at the good bilateral relations.” They also exchanged views on key international issues, with emphasis on respect for humanitarian and international law in conflict zones, and reiterated calls for a negotiated resolution.
According to the Vatican, the discussion also touched on “collaboration between Church and State… as well as some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom.”
Pope Leo XIV, 69, has emphasized peace as a central theme of his papacy. Last week, he offered to mediate between leaders of nations in conflict, declaring, “I will make every effort so that this peace may prevail.” Secretary of State Pietro Parolin also stated that the pontiff “may offer the Vatican for a direct meeting between the two parties.”
In parallel diplomatic activity, U.S. President Donald Trump was expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Monday as part of Washington’s push toward de-escalation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also attended the papal inauguration, held his first private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Sunday. He later met with Vance and Rubio to discuss “their shared goal of ending the bloodshed in Ukraine,” according to the U.S. vice president’s office.
Despite previous public criticisms made by Leo on social media about the Trump administration and Vance himself, the U.S. vice president offered praise for the new pontiff.
“The United States is very proud of him,” Vance said. “Our prayers go with him as he starts this very important work.”
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Rubio, also a Catholic, both underscored the significance of the moment as the Church enters a new era under Leo’s leadership.
Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away last month. He inherits a Church grappling with internal divisions and the challenge of declining participation in the West.
