Pope Leo XIV has received an invitation to visit the White House.
The invitation, given by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, was delivered in person by Vice President JD Vance during a private audience at the Vatican on May 19th.
Vance, a convert to Catholicism, handed the invitation letter to Pope Leo XIV during a meeting also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their spouses. The event followed the papal inauguration Mass, which Vance and Rubio attended on the previous day.
According to Vatican News, their meeting focused on US–Vatican relations, religious freedom and current international concerns, including humanitarian issues. Both sides reportedly expressed satisfaction with the present state of diplomatic relations.
During the exchange of gifts, Vance presented Pope Leo XIV with a Chicago Bears jersey bearing his name and two books by St. Augustine. Pope Leo XIV in return gave Vance a bronze sculpture, as well as a photo book of the papal apartments.
Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope. His election has drawn attention to ongoing discussions between the Vatican and the White House, particularly regarding migration and international diplomacy.
In a widely-shared video from the meeting, Pope Leo XIV responded to the invitation, saying “at some point,” the visit would take place, as reported by the Associated Press.
However, no date has been seemingly been set for a papal visit to the White House.
Pray for Pope Leo XIV and his intentions! 🙏
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