Amidst the historic peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, Vice President JD Vance made something of a pilgrimage to what he described as the “most sacred of places.” The Vice President attended mass at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which is said to be built on the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. Prior to visiting the site, Vance had spoken about his desire to see it and connected Christ’s title as the Prince of Peace to the work being done for the peace plan. “I hope to go to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which Christians believe is the site that Jesus Christ was crucified in. And I know that Christians have many titles for Jesus Christ, and one of them is the Prince of Peace. And I’d ask all people of faith, in particular my fellow Christians, to pray that the Prince of Peace can continue to work a miracle in this region of the world,” he said. “I think that we have made incredible strides over the past week. We’re going to have to make a lot more. But I think with your prayers, with God’s providence, and with a very good team behind me, I think we’re going to get it done.”

The Vice President was able to fulfill his hope soon after. “What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ’s death and resurrection,” wrote Vice President Vance on X along with images of him visiting the site. “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.” While visiting the site, Vance prayed before The Stone of Anointing, where traditions says Christ’s body was anointed with oils before being taken into his tomb. His visit also included a stop at Calvary Altar, where it is believed Christ was crucified. Before leaving the site, Vice President Vance 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. May God bless America, the United States, and Armenia and our friendship,” said an Armenian Orthodox bishop who tends the site.

The Vice President is the second Catholic Vice President the county has had. He has spoken about being more open about his faith since the murder of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk. Speaking at Kirk’s memorial, he admitted to having previously been uncomfortable about speaking up about his faith. “You know, I was telling somebody backstage that I always felt a little uncomfortable talking about my faith in public,” he admitted at the memorial. “As much as I loved the Lord and as much as is, it was an important part of my life, I have talked more about Jesus Christ in the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public life. And that is an undeniable legacy of the great Charlie Kirk. You know, he loved God. And because he loved God, he wanted to understand God’s creation and the men and women made in his image.”