By Tyler Arnold
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 23, 2025 /
13:20 pm
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, attended a private Mass celebrated by Franciscan monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Thursday during a three-day diplomatic trip to Israel.
Vance, the nation’s second Catholic vice president, met with a group of bishops and went to confession prior to Mass, according to the White House Pool Report.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was constructed in the early fourth century during the reign of Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. It is jointly operated by the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, and four Oriental Orthodox churches.
According to tradition, the church is built on the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. It is a premier pilgrimage destination for Christians who visit the Holy Land.
“What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ’s death and resurrection,” Vance later said in a post on X. “I am immensely grateful to the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic priests who care for this most sacred of places. May the Prince of Peace have mercy on us and bless our efforts for peace.”
During his visit, Vance knelt in silent prayer in front of The Stone of Anointing. Many believe this to be the stone on which Jesus Christ’s body was anointed with oils and balms before his burial.
He also prayed before the Calvary Altar, which is believed to be the location where Christ was crucified.
According to the pool report, Vance and his wife both lit candles in the church. Vance also lit two candles with fire from Christ’s tomb to bring back to the United States.
“We are sending these lights to the White House,” an Armenian Orthodox bishop said, according to the pool report. “May God bless America, the United States, and Armenia and our friendship.”
Vance’s trip to Israel comes as the White House is working with Israel and Hamas to maintain a ceasefire, which halted a two-year-long war in Gaza. Earlier during his trip, he asked Christians to pray for peace in the region.
“Christians have many titles for Jesus Christ — and one of them is the Prince of Peace,” the vice president said. “And I’d ask people of all faiths, in particular my fellow Christians, to pray that the Prince of Peace can continue to work a miracle in this region of the world.”
“I think with your prayers and with God’s providence, and with a very good team behind me, I think we’re going to get it done,” he said.
Tyler Arnold is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency, based in EWTN News’ Washington Bureau. He previously worked at The Center Square and has been published in a variety of outlets, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative, and The Federalist.
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