Trump, Self-Proclaimed 'Mediator for Peace,' Seeks Improved Relations with Vatican

Uncomfortable Relationship with Former Pope Francis
Establishing New Ties with Leo XIV, the First American Pope
Vatican Considered as Venue for Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

Pope Leo XIV is attending a press conference as he entered the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on the 12th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump is reaching out to the Vatican for improved relations, taking the occasion of the enthronement of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope in history.

According to the British daily The Guardian and the American daily The Washington Post (WP), U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on the 19th (local time) for a 40-minute meeting, during which they delivered a personal letter from President Trump and First Lady Melania expressing an invitation to the White House.

Before the meeting, Vice President Vance presented several gifts, including a Chicago Bears NFL jersey emblazoned with the name "Chicago Pope Leo" and a book by St. Augustine. Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, is a member of the Order of St. Augustine. Augustine is also the baptismal name of Vice President Vance.

This meeting stands in contrast to last month, on the 19th, when Vice President Vance, during a visit to Rome just before the passing of Pope Francis, had only a brief, unannounced meeting lasting a few minutes with the former pontiff.

The enthronement of Pope Leo XIV, an American, appears to signal an intention to reset the previously strained relationship between the Vatican and the U.S. during the papacy of Pope Francis. While alive, Pope Francis and President Trump clashed repeatedly over issues such as immigration policy and responses to climate change.

Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on peace since his enthronement aligns with President Trump’s vision, as Trump has positioned himself as a “mediator for peace” and has been pushing for an end to war.

This perception is reflected in Vice President Vance’s remarks at this year’s National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, where he stated, “In the pursuit of peace more than any other president, President Trump’s policies are consistent with the social doctrine of Christianity and the Catholic faith.”

The United States’ active response to Pope Leo XIV’s proposal to offer the Vatican as a venue for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is also seen in this context. After a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the same day, President Trump described the Vatican meeting as a “great idea.”