Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday in a brief, previously unannounced meeting, just hours before the 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday morning at the Vatican — and conspiracy theories immediately began swirling on social media, accusing Vance of being involved in the Pope’s death.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in Casa Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, made the announcement at 9:45 a.m., ending Francis’s 12-year papacy as the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church.
The meeting between Vance and the Pope, which lasted “a few minutes” on Easter, was to discuss international issues, including illegal immigration and the Trump administration’s policies.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the Pope during their meeting. The Vice President, who was baptized as a Catholic in 2019, also mentioned that he prayed for the Pope “every day.”
The Pope, who appeared visibly frail but engaged during the meeting, thanked Vance for his visit. Following their brief exchange, a papal aide presented Vance with gifts that included chocolate Easter eggs for his three children, a Vatican tie, and rosaries.
Conspiracy theories swirled online after the Pope passed away shortly after the meeting. Take a look —
The Pope has passed, and major Democrats are reacting to the news by casting blame on JD Vance pic.twitter.com/IYFAG8vQKx
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 21, 2025
Disturbing: Pope Francis died and people are already accusing Vice President JD Vance of killing the pope.
Pope Francis met JD Vance on Easter Sunday and showered Vance with gifts. pic.twitter.com/eFUQmZatm1
— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) April 21, 2025
Before his death, Pope Francis had been struggling with health issues and had been hospitalized for 38 days with double pneumonia before being discharged on March 23. Despite his fragile condition, he appeared in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to greet crowds, making his death the following morning unexpected to many observers.
After learning of the Pope’s death, Vance posted a tribute on social media, stating his “heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.” He added, “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, was known for his advocacy for the poor, and his leftist positions on climate change. His death marks the end of a pontificate that sought to reform the Catholic Church while engaging with contemporary social issues.
The Vatican has announced that funeral arrangements for Pope Francis will be made in the coming days, with Cardinal Farrell presiding over initial rites on Monday evening.