Vatican on lockdown today for arrival of JD Vance.

The American vice president, who yesterday met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and then with Deputy Prime Ministers Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani for an extended lunch, met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. With whom, the Holy See said, he had "an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially on countries marked by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, prisoners, and other issues of common interest were also discussed."

"During the cordial conversation," a statement from the Holy See reports, " satisfaction was expressed for the good bilateral relations existing between the Holy See and the United States of America, and the common commitment to protecting the right to religious freedom and freedom of conscience was renewed . Finally, a serene collaboration was hoped for between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose precious service to the most vulnerable people was recognized."

Yesterday, before the Via Crucis, Vance participated in the rite of the Passion in St. Peter's Basilica with his wife Usha and their three children.

(Online Union)