Trump invites Pope Leo XIV to the White House

Pope Leo XIV meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on May 19, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

CNA Staff, May 19, 2025 / 13:01 pm (CNA).

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump invited Pope Leo XIV to the White House. The invitation was made in a letter from Trump that was hand-delivered to the pope by Vice President JD Vance on Monday.

In a video of the meeting between the vice president and Pope Leo, Vance can be heard saying “I wanted to make sure I gave you that letter,” and in his response Pope Leo can be heard saying “at some point.”



Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with US Vice President @JDVance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio @SecRubio, who attended the Inauguration Mass of his pontificate. pic.twitter.com/FqWqOIhTJe

— EWTN News (@EWTNews) May 19, 2025

Vance told the pope: “As you can probably imagine, in the United States the people are extremely excited.”

During an exchange of gifts between the two, Vance gave the pope a Chicago Bears jersey with “Pope Leo XIV” emblazoned on the back.

At the meeting’s conclusion, Vance thanked Pope Leo XIV and told him: “We’ll pray for you.”

“Thank you for being here for the celebration,” the pope replied.

When Leo XIV was elected May 8, Trump expressed hearty congratulations, posting on Truth Social: “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American pope. What excitement, and what a great honor for our country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

Vance and his wife, Usha, attended the pope’s inaugural Mass on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also attended with his wife, Jeanette.