- Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88
- Catholic JD Vance pays emotional tribute
- X users tell Vance “You’re not fit to even mention his name”
JD Vance has paid an emotional tribute to the Pope following his death, which came just hours after they had a private meeting.
Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic church, died at the age of 88, the Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Monday.
Read more: Pope Francis dead at 88 after meeting JD Vance
The Vice President met with the Pope on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings as part of an international diplomatic mission on behalf of the Trump administration.
Read more: People have same response to JD Vance breaking trophy
The Vatican said the meeting between the Vice President and the Holy Father was “brief” and lasted a few minutes.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the Pope. “Thank you for seeing me”.
The pope offered Vance gifts of chocolate Easter eggs for his three children, rosaries for his wife, as well as a Vatican tie.
Before leaving, Vance added “’I pray for you every day” Vance “God bless you.”
Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am grateful for his invitation to meet, and I pray for his good health.
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) April 20, 2025
Happy Easter! pic.twitter.com/SIhU9gYQl2
JD Vance posts tribute to the Pope
Upon learning of the Pope’s death, Vance, who is a Catholic, issued a touching statement on X early Monday morning.
The Vice President wrote: “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
Reflecting on his meeting with the Pope just the day before, he continued, “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…
The White House also shared its condolences, posting a photograph of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump beside Francis in 2017. It also includes a photograph of Vance and the pontiff shaking hands at their meeting on Sunday.
“Rest in Peace, Pope Francis,” it wrote on X Monday.
X users not so sympathetic
Vance’s visit to the Vatican and the timing of the Pope’s death have sparked a frenzy on X, with users jumping at the opportunity to express their dislike of the vice president.
One user wrote “The Pope meets with Vance, *immediately dies of cringe*”.
Another user referenced a moment when Trump’s administration questioned why Ukraine President Zelensky didn’t wear a suit to his visit to the White House. They wrote, “I’m waiting for MAGA to start screeching about how Pope Francis didn’t wear a suit to meet JD Vance. 🙄”
One user posted a GIF that read “just sayin” with the caption “Vance met with the Pope and now one of them is dead ☠️.”
Vance met with the Pope and now one of them is dead ☠️ pic.twitter.com/m7H8e2UrMl
— Hillforter 🇵🇸 #RejoinEU (@LikeOldTat) April 21, 2025
Elsewhere, a user wrote “What a tragic ending for the pope spending your final moments with one of the worst people on the planet. Truly a test of sainthood.” Another added, “You’re not fit to even mention his name.”
One user simply asked, “Can you meet with Putin next?”.
