Vance: Meeting 1 day before pope's death 'sign from God'

Vice President Vance said his meeting with Pope Francis one day before his death was a nod from a higher power.

Vance met with the pontiff on Easter Sunday before attending mass with him at the Vatican, after which he departed to India for a four-day trip.

“About an hour after we landed, a staffer came over and said, ‘Sir, the pope died.’ I obviously felt very sad, and my thought went immediately to the pope, but also to all these Catholics who love him," Vance told Fox News Digital.

"But then it kind of hit me — oh my God — I was one of the last people to talk to him. I just take it as a great honor and a sign from God to remember that you never know when your last day on this Earth is." 

The vice president converted to Catholicism in 2019.

Vance said he did not expect to meet the religious leader but described their interaction as a “gracious” encounter. He said Francis gave him three chocolate Easter eggs for his small children in addition to a Vatican tie and rosaries, according to the outlet.

“The pope was very kind — he was obviously very frail," Vance said. 

"We didn’t spend a lot of time together. It was mostly exchanging pleasantries, but he gave a few gifts — he gave my kids Easter baskets, and there was just this very sweet moment," he added.