Why did Pope Francis not officially meet JD Vance in Rome? Pontiff sends cardinal instead

Pope Francis did not meet US vp JD officially in Rome; instead, Vance had a gathering with Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Vatican.
The pope, who lately recovered from pneumonia, additionally skipped the Good Friday service at St Peter’s Basilica attended by Vance, though he has returned to restricted public engagements—together with a shock go to to a Roman jail on Holy Thursday.
Inside Vatican sources later instructed Sky News that Vance briefly greeted the pope at his residence, however no particulars had been launched. Vance officially, and the Vatican made no point out of any non-public assembly in its formal statements.
Why didn’t the Pope meet Vance?
Tensions have been excessive since Vance accused the Church of utilizing migrant advocacy for monetary achieve. In response, the pope known as mass deportations a “disgrace” and reaffirmed the Church’s responsibility to like all, with out exception.”
In January, Vance stirred controversy by citing the medieval Catholic thought of ordo amoris—a rating of affection that places household and nation above outsiders—to justify the administration’s mass deportation plans.
Pope Francis responded with a uncommon public correction in a ten February letter to US bishops, emphasising that Christian love have to be “open to all, without exception,” not inward-looking.
The Vatican press launch following the Parolin assembly famous discussions on struggle, humanitarian crises, and Church-state cooperation, with particular consideration to migrants, refugees, and prisoners.
However, a separate assertion from Vance’s workplace omitted any point out of migration—a key level of disagreement between the Trump administration and Pope Francis.