WASHINGTON (AP) — One of Pope Francis’ final encounters before his death was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend. The meeting took place on Easter Sunday. Vance, a Catholic convert, entered the room and reached down for the pope’s hand. “Hello,” the vice president said. “So good to see you.”

US Vice-President JD Vance has paid tribute to the late Pope Francis - having been one of the final people to meet him, on the day before the pontiff's death. "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,