Vice President JD Vance expressed surprise at being one of the last officials to meet Pope Francis before his death, recalling their encounter on Easter Sunday in Italy, where he recognized the pope’s illness but not the severity. Vance highlighted the pope’s advocacy for marginalized communities and stated he was fortunate to have personally prayed for him. Currently in India for a four-day trip, Vance discussed ongoing trade talks with Prime Minister Modi and shared his hopes for the selection of the next pope, emphasizing the importance of their decision for the Catholic community.