VP JD Vance attends Mass at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, prays for peace during Israel trip, lights candles to bring back to White House.
Newsroom (23/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, participated in a private Mass led by Franciscan monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Thursday, a highlight of their three-day diplomatic visit to Israel, according to a White House pool report.
Vance, the second Catholic vice president in U.S. history, met with bishops and went to confession before the Mass. The ancient church, built in the early fourth century under Emperor Constantine the Great, is revered as the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Managed jointly by the Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, and four Oriental Orthodox churches, it remains a focal point for Christian pilgrims worldwide.
“What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ’s death and resurrection,” Vance wrote 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.”
What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ’s death and resurrection. I am immensely grateful to 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. https://t.co/X6CDoxJqOj
— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 23, 2025
During the visit, Vance knelt in silent prayer at the Stone of Anointing, believed to be where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial, and at the Calvary Altar, marking the site of the crucifixion. The couple lit candles in the church, and Vance took two candles lit from the fire of Christ’s tomb to bring back to the United States.
“We are sending these lights to the White House,” an Armenian Orthodox bishop said, per the pool report. “May God bless America, the United States, and Armenia and our friendship.”
The visit comes as the White House works with Israel and Hamas to sustain a ceasefire that ended a two-year conflict in Gaza. Earlier in the trip, Vance called for prayers for peace in the region. “Christians have many titles for Jesus Christ — and one of them is the Prince of Peace,” he said. “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.”
Vance expressed optimism about the peace process, adding, “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.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files form CNA
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