Pope Francis died on the morning of April 21, Easter Monday, according to a press release from the Vatican City. His death follows a recent bout with bronchitis that developed into double pneumonia.
According to reporting from The Associated Press (AP), U.S. Vice President JD Vance was in Italy on Easter weekend to negotiate about tariffs with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. While in Italy, Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, attended the Vatican’s Good Friday Mass and visited the Holy See. While at the Vatican, Vance met with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher having an “exchange of opinions,” according to the AP.
This was after recent statements from the Pope “rebuking” Vance and President Donald Trump’s position on migrant deportations reported by the AP in February 2025. The Pope’s remains will be moved to the Rotunda of St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23 to lie in state.
Timothy Fitzpatrick can be contacted at
tfitzpatrick@kscequinox.com
