U.S. Vice President JD Vance engaged in a series of high-profile meetings in Rome, focusing on international peace efforts, particularly concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in Gaza. These meetings, held on May 18 and 19, 2025, underscore the U.S. administration's commitment to finding a resolution to these pressing global issues.
Vance met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, extending an invitation from President Trump for the Pope to visit the United States. Discussions centered on the Vatican's potential role in facilitating peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with both parties expressing hope for respect for humanitarian and international law in conflict zones. Vance also presented Pope Leo XIV with a Chicago Bears jersey with the Pope's name on it, and gave him a letter from President Trump.
In addition to his meeting with the Pope, Vance also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. These meetings addressed a range of issues, including trade policy, defense cooperation, and burden-sharing in defense, all with the aim of fostering international cooperation and addressing global conflicts. Meloni, Von der Leyen and Vance also held a trilateral meeting to discuss relations between the EU and the United States, as well as the main issues on the international agenda.