Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to attend Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in Vatican City, marking a significant moment for U.S. Catholics. Leo, the first American pontiff, was elected after Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025. Despite previous criticisms of Vance and Trump's policies, the bipartisan delegation including their spouses aims to honor this historic event. Vance emphasized maintaining faith over political divides following a recent meeting with Pope Francis, and the inauguration is seen as a chance to foster ties between the U.S. government and the Vatican amidst varying political views.