JD Vance was one of the last leaders to meet with Pope Francis

WASHINGTON — One of Pope Francis' final encounters before his death was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend.

The meeting took place on Easter Sunday. Vance, a Catholic convert, entered the room and reached down for the pope's hand. ''Hello,'' the vice president said. ''So good to see you."

Francis was sitting in a wheelchair, and his words were inaudible in a video released by the Vatican.

''I know you've not been feeling great, but it's good see you in better health," Vance said.

A priest serving as a translator spoke for the pope.

''These are for your children,'' the priest said as someone presented Vance with chocolate eggs. Next came a tray of additional gifts, including rosaries and a Vatican tie.

''Thank you,'' Vance said as he held the dark tie. ''So beautiful.''

They posed for a photo, Vance standing to the pope's right before bidding him farewell.

''I pray for you every day,'' Vance said. ''God bless you.''

Vance's visit was not without political sensitivities, and he met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Saturday for what the Vatican described as ''an exchange of opinions.'' The Catholic Church, under Francis' leadership, has championed the rights of migrants, while Vance and President Donald Trump have advocated for crackdowns.

Vance's office said the vice president and the cardinal ''discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trump's commitment to restoring world peace.''

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that she had spoken to members of Vance's team on Monday morning after Francis' death.

''They expressed how excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the pope just yesterday,'' she said.

Leavitt added that Francis "touched millions of lives throughout his tenure as the head of the Catholic Church and so it's a solemn day for Catholics around the world and we are praying for all those who loved the pope and believed in him.''

Trump issued a statement on Truth Social: ''Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!''

At the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, Trump said he signed an executive order for U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in the pope's honor.

''He was a good man," the president told reporters. ''He loved the world and it's an honor to do that.''

Vance, who continued on to India after Italy, posted additional thoughts on social media.

''I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,'' he wrote on X. ''I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill."

Vance shared a link to remarks that Francis gave on March 27, 2020, as COVID-19 was spreading around the globe.

''I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID,'' Vance wrote. ''It was really quite beautiful.''

Francis had spoken from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

''Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities,'' he said. ''It has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void.''

He encouraged people to rely on their faith to help then endure ''because with God life never dies.''