Vice President J.D. Vance Visits the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
On Thursday, Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha attended a private Mass in Jerusalem, where they prayed at the site traditionally believed to be where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.
Vance, a convert to Catholicism, explored various areas of the expansive cathedral, including Golgotha, known as the place of the skull, where it is said Jesus was crucified. He also visited the Anointed Stone, believed to have been a limestone slab used for Jesus’ burial, and the Holy Sepulcher, the burial site attributed to Joseph of Arimathea.
“I think we’re moving in a very good direction,” he remarked. Along with acknowledging the contributions of Franciscan friars, Vance expressed gratitude to the Catholic, Greek, and Armenian priests who have long overseen this sacred site. He reflected, “What an incredible blessing it is to visit the place of Christ’s death and resurrection.”
The significance of the location dates back to the 4th century when Emperor Constantine decided to construct a basilica on this hallowed ground—an area revered by early Christians. Before Constantine, Hadrian had attempted to erase its sacredness, erecting pagan temples in its place. Ultimately, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was established, with significant structures added in the 11th century, while enduring a history of fires, earthquakes, and attacks.
During his visit, a bishop at the Anointing Stone presented Vance with a red pillow for kneeling. Vance, in a moment of reflection, made the sign of the cross, touched the limestone slab, and bowed his head in silence, as noted by the White House. Afterward, he headed to the empty tomb, where the bishop stated he planned to light two candles from the Holy Sepulcher to send back to the White House.
At one point, Vance joked with the bishop, saying, “You guys kept me from hitting my head. You can join the Secret Service.”
Among the Christian leaders present was Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III. He expressed his appreciation for former President Donald J. Trump’s efforts in bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza, recognizing the plight of innocent civilians in the region.
Just days before the visit, Vance told reporters of his wish to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, highlighting the importance of prayer for peace, especially in light of the title “Prince of Peace” attributed to Jesus Christ. After the visit, he stated, “May the Prince of Peace have mercy on us and bless our efforts for peace.”
Vance is focused on upholding the fragile peace agreement negotiated by Trump in Gaza. Before departing Israel, he expressed disappointment regarding the Knesset’s recent vote on West Bank annexation, describing it as a “political stunt that means virtually nothing.” Despite this, he expressed gratitude to the Israeli government for their welcome, adding, “I think we are on a very good path.”
