VATICAN CITY (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Saturday with the Vatican’s No. 2 official amid tensions over the U.S. crackdown on migrants, with the Holy See reaffirming good relations however noting “an change of opinions” over present worldwide conflicts, migrants and prisoners.

The Vatican issued an announcement after Vance, a Catholic convert, met with the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the international minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. There was no indication he met with Pope Francis, who has been resuming some official duties throughout his restoration from pneumonia.

The Holy See has responded cautiously to the Trump administration, in line with its custom of diplomatic neutrality.

It has expressed alarm over the administration’s crackdown on migrants and cuts in worldwide support whereas insisting on peaceable resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

These issues have been mirrored within the Vatican assertion, which mentioned the talks have been cordial and that the Vatican expressed satisfaction with the administration’s dedication to defending freedom of faith and conscience.

“There was an change of opinions on the worldwide scenario, particularly concerning international locations affected by struggle, political tensions and tough humanitarian conditions, with explicit consideration to migrants, refugees, and prisoners,” the assertion mentioned. “Lastly, hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the US, whose useful service to essentially the most susceptible folks was acknowledged.”

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The reference to “serene collaboration” appeared to consult with Vance’s accusation that the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops was resettling “unlawful immigrants” with a view to get federal funding. High U.S. cardinals have pushed again strongly in opposition to the declare.

“It’s clear that the strategy of the present U.S. administration may be very completely different from what we’re used to and, particularly within the West, from what now we have relied on for a few years,” Parolin instructed La Repubblica each day on the eve of Vance’s go to.

Because the U.S. pushes to finish the struggle in Ukraine, Parolin reaffirmed Kyiv’s proper to its territorial integrity and insisted that any peace deal should not be “imposed” on Ukraine however “is constructed patiently, day-to-day, with dialogue and mutual respect.”

Vance was spending Easter weekend in Rome together with his household and attended Good Friday companies in St. Peter’s Basilica after assembly with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On Saturday, after introducing his household to Parolin, the Vances obtained a non-public tour of the Sistine Chapel.

It wasn’t instantly clear the place they’d rejoice Easter. Francis, for his half, indicated he hoped to attend Easter Mass that often attracts hundreds to St. Peter’s Sq., in accordance with the official Mass booklet and liturgical plans launched Saturday.

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Papal rebuke on migration, attraction for prisoners

Francis and Vance have tangled sharply over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. Francis has made caring for migrants a trademark of his papacy and his progressive views on social justice points have typically put him at odds with members of the extra conservative U.S. Catholic Church.

Francis additionally modified church educating to say that capital punishment is inadmissible in all instances. After a public attraction from Francis simply weeks earlier than Trump took workplace, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 folks on federal loss of life row. Trump is an outspoken proponent of increasing capital punishment.

Vance, who transformed to Catholicism in 2019, identifies with a small Catholic mental motion, considered by some critics as having reactionary or authoritarian leanings, that’s typically known as “postliberal.”

Postliberals share some longstanding Catholic conservative views, resembling opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. They envision a counterrevolution during which they take over authorities paperwork and establishments like universities from inside, changing entrenched “elites” with their very own and performing upon their imaginative and prescient of the “frequent good.”

Simply days earlier than he was hospitalized in February, Francis blasted the Trump administration’s deportation plans, warning that they’d deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. In a letter to U.S. bishops, Francis additionally appeared to reply to Vance instantly for having claimed that Catholic doctrine justified such insurance policies.

A Latin idea of affection

Vance had defended the administration’s America-first crackdown by citing an idea from medieval Catholic theology identified in Latin as “ordo amoris.” He has mentioned the idea delineates a hierarchy of care — to household first, adopted by neighbor, group, fellow residents and lastly these elsewhere.

In his Feb. 10 letter, Francis appeared to appropriate Vance’s understanding of the idea.

“Christian love is just not a concentric enlargement of pursuits that little by little extends to different individuals and teams,” he wrote. “The true ordo amoris that have to be promoted is that which we uncover by meditating continually on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ that’s, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, with out exception.”

Vance has acknowledged Francis’ criticism however has mentioned he would proceed to defend his views. Throughout a Feb. 28 look on the Nationwide Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Vance didn’t handle the difficulty particularly however known as himself a “child Catholic” and acknowledged there are “issues in regards to the religion that I don’t know.”

Whereas he had criticized Francis on social media up to now, Vance not too long ago has posted prayers for Francis’ restoration.