JD Vance visits Italy for tariff talks and attends Good Friday service at the Vatican

ROME (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday for a second day of talks on tariffs and then attended Good Friday services at the Vatican amid speculation of a possible pope greeting this weekend.

“I’ve been missing you,” Meloni jokingly told Vance as he entered the courtyard of Chigi Palace, the premier's office.

They had seen each other just the previous day in the Oval Office, where Trump lavished praise on the Italian leader for her crackdown on migration but didn't yield on tariff plans that have increased tensions with the European Union and stoked fears of recession.

The White House and Meloni's office on Friday issued a joint statement that said Trump would visit Italy “in the very near future.”

"There is also consideration to hold, on such occasion, a meeting between U.S. and Europe,” the statement said.

Vance, a Catholic convert, later attended Good Friday services with his wife and three children in St. Peter’s Basilica and was scheduled to meet Saturday with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

No meeting with Pope Francis was officially announced and the pontiff didn’t attend the solemn, two-hour Good Friday service or the nighttime Way of the Cross procession at Rome's Colosseum. The 88-year-old pope has cut back his work schedule as he recovers from a near-fatal case of double pneumonia, and his participation in the weekend’s Easter services is uncertain.

Francis, however, recently met with King Charles III and officials haven’t ruled out a possible audience with Vance, who has criticized Francis on social media in the past, though more recently offered prayers for his recovery.

Francis and Vance have tangled sharply over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. Francis has made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy and his progressive views on social justice issues have often put him at odds with members of the more conservative U.S. Catholic Church.

Just days before he was hospitalized in February, Francis blasted the Trump administration’s deportation plans, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. In a letter to U.S. bishops, Francis also appeared to respond to Vance directly for having claimed that Catholic doctrine justified such policies.

Vance had defended the administration’s America-first crackdown by citing a concept from medieval Catholic theology known in Latin as “ordo amoris.” He has said the concept delineates a hierarchy of care — to family first, followed by neighbor, community, fellow citizens and lastly those elsewhere.

In his Feb. 10 letter, Francis appeared to correct Vance’s understanding of the concept.

“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extends to other persons and groups,” he wrote. “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.”

Vance has acknowledged Francis’ criticism but has said he would continue to defend his views.

“I’m grateful every day for this job, but particularly today where my official duties have brought me to Rome on Good Friday,” Vance posted on X. “I wish all Christians all over the world, but particularly those back home in the US, a blessed Good Friday.”

Good Friday commemorates Christ’s crucifixion and is marked by the Vatican with a Latin-filled service in St. Peter’s and a nighttime, torchlit procession at the Colosseum.

Meloni has positioned herself as a bridge between the Trump administration and Europe and was the lone EU leader to attend his inauguration. As the head of a far-right party, she is ideologically aligned with Trump on issues such as curbing migration and promoting traditional values. But Italy and the United States have diverged over Meloni's strong support for Ukraine, while Trump's tariff threat has put pressure on Meloni to defend the EU's trade interests on behalf of the bloc.

A bond market panic led Trump to partially pull back on his tariffs by pausing his 20% import taxes on the EU for 90 days and charge a baseline 10% instead. But Trump said Thursday he was in no rush to reach any trade deals.

Vance on Friday reaffirmed the U.S.-Italy friendship and told Meloni that he would brief her on some “interesting” developments in Russia-Ukraine negotiations. “Big trade negotiations” would continue, he said.

Like Trump, Vance seemed dazzled by Meloni's Italian language even though he didn't understand what she was saying.

“Of course, she could have called me a jerk and I wouldn’t know, but it would be in the most beautiful language imaginable, so I wouldn’t even get offended,” he said at the start of their talks.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Nuns attend the procession outside the Colosseum during the Via Crucis (Latin for 'way of the cross') in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Nuns attend the procession outside the Colosseum during the Via Crucis (Latin for 'way of the cross') in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of Pope Francis for the Diocese of Rome, center holding a cross, leads the procession in front of the Colosseum during the Via Crucis (Latin for 'way of the cross') in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of Pope Francis for the Diocese of Rome, leads the procession in front of the Colosseum during the Via Crucis (Latin for 'way of the cross') in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his wife Usha Vance, left, with their daughter Mirabel, attend a Good Friday service led by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, right, inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his wife Usha Vance, left, with their daughter Mirabel attend a Good Friday service led by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, right, inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family attend the Good Friday mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his wife Usha Vance, left, with their daughter Mirabel, back to camera, and son Vivek attend a Good Friday service inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, with, from left, daughter Mirabel, sons Ewan and Vivek leave at the end of a Good Friday service inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his wife Usha Vance, with their daughter Mirabel, back to camera, and sons Vivek and Ewan, left, attend a Good Friday service inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his wife Usha Vance, with their daughter Mirabel, back to camera, and sons Vivek and Ewan, left, attend a Good Friday service inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance, left, arrive with their daughter Mirabel, back to camera for a Good Friday service inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, listens to national anthems with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni as he arrives for talks at Palazzo Chigi government office in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, is welcomed by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni as he arrives for talks at Palazzo Chigi government office in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, is welcomed by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni as he arrives for talks at Palazzo Chigi government office in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, is welcomed by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni as he arrives for talks at Palazzo Chigi government office in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, is welcomed by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni as he arrives for talks at Palazzo Chigi government office in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Vice President JD Vance arrives in Rome, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Italian government officials look on as Vice President JD Vance and family arrive at G. B. Pastine–Rome Ciampino Airport, onboard Air Force Two, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, second right, is greeted by Italian government officials upon arriving at G.B. Pastine–Rome Ciampino Airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Vice President JD Vance, carrying their daughter Mirabel and Second Lady Usha Vance disembark Air Force Two upon arriving at G.B. Pastine–Rome Ciampino Airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Second Lady Usha Vance looks back at U.S. Vice President JD Vance, carrying their daughter Mirabel as they disembark Air Force Two upon arriving at G.B. Pastine–Rome Ciampino Airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Vice President JD Vance disembarks Air Force Two while carrying his daughter Mirabel, upon arriving at G.B. Pastine–Rome Ciampino Airport, Friday April 18, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — President Donald Trump offered some encouraging words and advice for graduating students at the University of Alabama on Thursday in a speech interspersed with complaints about his critics, accusations that judges were “interfering” with his agenda and attacks on his predecessor, Joe Biden.

The Republican’s jolting speech was standard fare for Trump and well-received by the crowd in deep-red Alabama, which backed him in all three of his presidential runs.

“You’re the first graduating class of the golden age of America,” the president told the graduates.

But he quickly launched into a campaign-style diatribe, saying that the U.S. was being “ripped off” before he took office and that the last four years, when he was out of power, “were not good for our country.”

“But don’t let that scare you,” he said. “It was an aberration.”

Trump has a long history of injecting such rhetoric into his remarks at venues where traditional political talk was seen as unseemly.

On his first full day in office in 2017, he used a speech at a memorial for fallen CIA agents to complain about journalists and defend the size of his crowd at the inauguration. Later that year, he drew backlash for talking about politics at a Boy Scouts jamboree. And earlier this year, he delivered a grievance-filled speech at the Justice Department where he threatened to “expose” his enemies.

On Thursday night, after talking up his tariff plans, sharing his successes from his first 100 days in office and bashing the media, he returned to words of encouragement.

“Now is the time to work harder than you’ve ever worked before,” he said. “Find your limits and then smash through everything.”

While Trump has described the speech as a commencement address, it is actually a special event that was created before graduation ceremonies that begin Friday. Graduating students had the option of attending the event.

Former Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban also spoke, regaling the audience with a story about visiting the Oval Office in 2018 during Trump's first term. Saban said Trump was a gracious host.

Ahead of Trump's arrival, Emily Appel, a 22-year-old advertising major from Norcross, Georgia, called Trump's appearance at her school “a cherry on top” of her college years.

She called Trump a “very influential person” and said she hoped he had a message to share that was "positive about us being able to work in the real world and for our future.”

Sophie Best, who is graduating with a communications degree, said, “I don’t think that we could have had a greater person come to speak."

The 21-year-old from Cartersville, Georgia, said she attended Trump's first presidential inauguration in 2017 when she was a freshman in high school, along with her father, who she said loves Trump.

“I think that no matter what political party or whatever you believe in, I think that it’s super cool that we get to experience and make history and be a part of this,” she said.

At a park a mile away, hundreds of people gathered at a counter-rally hosted by College Democrats. One-time presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke of Texas and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama, addressed the attendees at their event, called a “Tide Against Trump” — a play on the university’s nickname.

Aidan Meyers, a 21-year-old junior studying biology at the university, said he was upset by the decision to let Trump speak at a graduation-related event.

“I felt betrayed that the university was willing to put up with someone who has made it clear that they hate academia, essentially holding funding above universities' heads as a bargaining chip, unless they bow down to what he wants, which is kind of a hallmark sign with fascist regime,” Meyers said.

O'Rourke told the rally that Trump was trying to make the students’ graduation “all about him, true to form.” He urged students and others gathered to go out and use their voices to “win America back.”

“The power of people works in this country, even against Donald Trump,” O’Rourke said.

Jones told the crowd they were there “not just as a protest, but as a movement.”

“You are here today because you’re concerned, you’re afraid. You understand that this country’s great democracy is teetering right now with what we’re seeing going on,” the former senator said.

Trump’s presence also drew criticism from the Alabama NAACP, which said his policies are hurting universities and students, particularly students of color.

After his stop in Alabama, Trump is scheduled to travel to Florida for a long weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Later this month, he is scheduled to give the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Associated Press writer Bill Barrow contributed to this report from Atlanta.

President Donald Trump arrives at Tuscaloosa National Airport, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump arrives at Tuscaloosa National Airport, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

University of Alabama president Stuart Bell speaks before President Donald Trump arrives to give a commencement address at the University of Alabama, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

President Donald Trump arrives at Tuscaloosa National Airport, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump walks with Air Force Col. Angela Ochoa, Commander of the 89th Airlift Wing from Marine One to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., en route Tuscaloosa National Airport, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)