Vance, Rubio Lead U.S. Delegation to Pope's Mass

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with their wives, will lead the U.S. delegation at the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pope—at the Vatican on Sunday. Vance, a Catholic convert and the highest-ranking Catholic in the U.S. government, previously met with the late Pope Francis before his death. Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship and is known for his work in Peru. He has previously criticized Vance's views on immigration and Christian doctrine, but both Vance and President Trump have publicly congratulated him on his election. The White House and Vance have emphasized the significance of the event for American Catholics while downplaying political differences. Leaders from Canada, Australia, and other countries are also expected to attend the mass.