US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also present at the audience, as were the two officials’ wives.
Vance then met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.
During the “cordial” talks, Vance and Gallagher reiterated the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States, the Vatican said.
They also discussed the collaboration between the Church and the US government, along with several matters “of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom”.
“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” said the Holy See Press Office.
Vance and Rubio were among the international figures present at the American pontiff’s inauguration in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday.
The vice president also had a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on Sunday, ahead of the phone call US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to have on Monday.
He also had a trilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minster Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
ANSA
