Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Meet Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Inauguration Mass

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, attended Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass at the Vatican, where they greeted the new pontiff and other world leaders including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite Pope Leo XIV's subtle criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies during his homily, which directly targeted Vance, the vice president expressed a commitment to pray for the pope and the church without engaging in political disputes. Usha Vance, a Hindu, showed respect for the Catholic ceremony by wearing a traditional black mantilla veil and participating in prayers. The event also highlighted tensions and contrasts, such as Zelensky's informal attire and his previous clashes with Vance. While Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019 and had met the late Pope Francis shortly before his death, reports indicated some public speculation about the Vances' personal relationship during the trip. Overall, the inauguration mass marked a significant moment of diplomacy and religious ceremony amidst ongoing political complexities.