The Vatican appreciated the protection of religious freedom, but expressed concern about the US procedure against migrants.
American vice president of JD Vance met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietr Parolin, and Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Minister for Relations with Countries on Saturday. TASR informs AFP and AP.
It was immediately known whether the American vice president also met Pope Francis, who, after hospitalization, gradually assumes some administrative duties for pneumonia.
The Holy See, as part of the tradition of preservation of diplomatic neutrality, responded to Trump’s administration cautiously.
She expressed concern about the hard action of the administration against migrants and cuts of international aid, while urging the peaceful solution of war in Ukraine and in the Gaza band.
These concerns were also reflected in the Vatican’s statement, which the negotiations described as cordially. According to him, the Vatican is satisfied with how responsibly the administration approaches the protection of freedom of religion and conscience. According to the statement, however, there was a “exchange of views” on the topic of migration.
“There has been an exchange of views on the international situation, especially in countries influenced by war, political tension and a difficult humanitarian situation with exceptional regard to migrants, refugees and prisoners,” the statement said. “In the end, we have expressed hope for peaceful cooperation between the state and the Church in the United States, where we have acknowledged the benefits of valuable help to the most vulnerable people,” the statement continues.
According to AP, the combination of “peaceful cooperation” is an allusion to Vance’s accusation of the US Catholic bishop conference that they confirm “illegal migrants” to obtain federal funding. The highest American cardinals against this accusation were sharply protested.
The meeting of Vice President and Ministers took place only a few days after the negotiations of Italian Prime Minister Giorgie Meloni with US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed US duties.
