Overview

• Pope Francis passed away at age 88 on April 21, 2025, following a period of declining health and hospitalization earlier this year.
• Vice President JD Vance met with the Pope in Vatican City on Easter Sunday, just hours before the pontiff's death, in what became his final public meeting.
• Vance publicly expressed his condolences, praising the Pope’s leadership and recalling their brief but meaningful interaction the day before.
• The Trump administration had been working to recalibrate relations with the Vatican, with Vance holding talks with Cardinal Parolin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome.
• The Vatican has entered a nine-day mourning period, with preparations underway for the conclave to elect the next pope.