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Vice President Pence’s Visit to Rome and Vatican City
5 MINUTE READ
January 27, 2020

Vice President Pence’s Visit to Rome and Vatican City

Pope Francis meets with US Vice President Mike Pence
Pope Francis meets with US Vice President Mike Pence, left, on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Pence told Pope Francis, “You made me a hero” back home by granting him a private audience at the Vatican on Friday. (Alessandro Di Meo/Pool Photo via AP)

Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence visited Rome and Vatican City on January 24, 2020.

Their visit began with a private audience with Pope Francis, further illustrating the importance of America’s enduring diplomatic partnership with the Holy See.

In an hour-long meeting, the Vice President and Pope Francis discussed several issues, including, the 2020 March for Life in Washington D.C., the crisis in Venezuela, and displaced religious minorities in the Middle East.

Pope Francis then received Mrs. Pence and Sarah Pence, followed by a delegation including Ambassador Gingrich and Speaker Gingrich.

Before departing the Papal Library, Pope Francis and the Vice President and Mrs. Pence exchanged gifts.

Following his meeting with Pope Francis, Vice President Pence met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin. He then joined Mrs. Pence, Sarah Pence, and Ambassador Gingrich for a private tour of the Vatican, including the Sala Regia and the Sistine and Pauline Chapels.

Following his meetings in Vatican City, Vice President Pence filmed a video message for the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C. and was interviewed by EWTN, during which he highlighted the “substantive and personally meaningful” conversation he had with Pope Francis.

In addition to meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and President Sergio Mattarella, the Vice President also met with the Tri-Mission Italy Marine Guard Detachment before joining the Second Lady in a meeting with U.S. military spouses.

Vice President Mike Pence walking past two guards

US Vice President Mike Pence, center, is given a private tour of the Vatican after his private audience with Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. The pontiff and the vice president had a private hour-long conservation. (Alessandro Di Meo/Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US Vice President Mike Pence, second from left, and his wife Karen, right, on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Pence told Pope Francis, “You made me a hero” back home by granting him a private audience at the Vatican on Friday. (Alessandro Di Meo/Pool Photo via AP)
US Vice President Mike Pence, left, shakes hands with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin after having a private audience with Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. The pontiff and the vice president had a private hour-long conservation. (Alessandro Di Meo/Pool Photo via AP)