U.S. Vice President JD Vance intends to visit Rome during Easter weekend, though the trip has not yet been finalized, according to Bloomberg News. If the visit proceeds as planned, Vance would arrive on Good Friday, April 18, and depart Easter Sunday, April 20. While Bloomberg stated it had seen correspondence confirming the trip, an official noted that “plans could change.”
As a convert to Catholicism, Vance’s visit has sparked curiosity about whether he will meet with Vatican officials or visit significant holy sites. However, it remains “unclear whether the potential visit is intended to correspond with Easter weekend or whether that is coincidental,” according to Bloomberg News.
A possible meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been discussed, though “no meeting had been scheduled by the time of publication.” Diplomatic sources indicate that U.S. officials have sought to arrange such an encounter, as reported by Bloomberg.
Vance’s Previous European Visit and Catholic Concerns
Vice President Vance last traveled to Europe in February, where he attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany. During that visit, he strongly criticized European policies on migration and restrictions on free speech and religious freedom. According to Bloomberg, Vance was especially critical of laws in the United Kingdom that led to arrests for silent prayer outside abortion clinics, as well as Scotland’s “safe access zones” law that bans religious preaching within 200 meters (about 650 feet) of an abortion facility.
These remarks prompted backlash from European politicians, but Prime Minister Meloni offered a more favorable response. She defended Vance’s critique, stating in a Financial Times interview, “I have to say I agree [with Vance]. I’ve been saying this for years … Europe has a bit lost itself.”
Tensions Over U.S.-EU Trade Relations
Vance’s planned visit comes at a time of rising economic tension between the United States and the European Union. President Donald Trump recently announced new tariffs on European goods, set to take effect on April 2. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has responded by stating she has a “strong plan to retaliate” if necessary, according to Bloomberg.
A Potential Visit to the Vatican?
For Catholics, one of the biggest questions surrounding Vance’s trip is whether he will visit the Vatican or meet with Church leaders. Though no details have been confirmed, the timing of his visit—over Easter weekend—has fueled speculation about the possibility of attending a papal event or engaging in religious observances.
If the trip moves forward, it could provide an opportunity for Vance to reaffirm his Catholic faith on the global stage while addressing key issues of religious freedom and morality in Europe. Catholics around the world will be watching closely to see whether this visit holds deeper significance beyond diplomatic discu
