Vance and Rubio to travel to the Vatican for Pope Leo XIV's inauguration

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass in Vatican City on Sunday, the White House announced Thursday.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass in Vatican City on Sunday, the White House announced Thursday.

NBC News earlier reported that the two top officials were expected to attend the mass.

Leo is the first American pope, marking a major moment for American Catholics.

Vance, who is Catholic, met briefly with Pope Francis before his death last month.

The vice president, Rubio and second lady Usha Vance will be among the U.S. delegation attending the Mass marking Leo's formal installation as pope in St. Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican.