• Vice President JD Vance met Pope Francis just hours before the Pope's death.
• Vance described the meeting as "pretty crazy" and a "great blessing."
• The meeting triggered a wave of social media trolling and memes blaming Vance for the Pope's death.

Vice President JD Vance was among the last visitors to Pope Francis, meeting him on Easter Sunday just hours before the pontiff's death on Monday. The meeting, where Vance was reportedly wearing a yellow tie as a symbol of optimism, has led to considerable mockery online, with some users humorously suggesting that his interaction contributed to the Pope's passing. Vance conveyed to the Pope, "I know you have not been feeling great, but it's good to see you in better health," which drew criticism after the Pope's demise shortly thereafter, according to India Times and India Times.

Following the encounter, Vance faced brutal trolling across social platforms. Many began questioning his morals, humorously accusing him of being responsible for the Pope's death. The backlash stemmed not only from the timing of their meeting but also from historical tensions between the Trump administration and the Pope regarding issues like immigration policy. On this, Vance stated, "I'm aware that he had some disagreements with some of the policies of our administration. He also had a lot of agreements," highlighting his refusal to politicize the Pope's legacy, according to Reuters and India Times.

Vance, currently in India for a state visit, has actively reflected on the meeting, calling it a great blessing and stating, "it's pretty crazy, actually." He noted that while he wished to honor the Pope’s memory, he would not attend the funeral, which is to be attended by President Donald Trump, raising questions about the political implications surrounding his absence, according to The Hill and India Times.

The aftermath of Vance’s meeting has spiraled into a meme phenomenon on social media, with users humorously questioning his presence at such a critical moment for a world leader like the Pope. Vance has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have met the Pope, asserting that he will remember the meeting fondly, while also urging not to link personal grievances to the religious figure's death, according to India Times, India Times, and Reuters.