Pope Leo XIV shook hands with JD Vance following his inauguration mass just weeks after his criticism of the US Vice President resurfaced.
The US Pontiff, 69, warmly took hold of Vance's hand as he received a series of world leaders at St Peter's Square.
Leo has repeatedly criticised Donald Trump's administration's immigration stance.
The Pope also previously shared several articles that address Catholic Vance's stance on immigration. One of them is titled: 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.'
Vance last week appeared to brush aside Leo's previous criticisms as he told conservative broadcaster Hugh Hewitt: 'I try not to play the politicisation of the Pope game.
