Trump's week in review: East Wing demolished; ballroom construction begins; new Russia sanctions

2. Vance visits Israel, attends mass at Holy Sepulchre

Vice President JD Vance visited Israel this week, marking his first trip to the country since taking office nine months ago. Vance's trip to Israel comes as the Trump administration works to ensure that a ceasefire between the Jewish state and Hamas remains in place after two years of fighting. 

During his visit to Israel, the vice president and his wife, Usha Vance, attended a private mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Thursday. He commented on the experience and the site's historic nature in an X post. "What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ's death and resurrection," he wrote. "I am immensely grateful to the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic priests who care for this most sacred of places."

Vance expressed hope that "the Prince of Peace" would "have mercy on us, and bless our efforts for peace." A picture shared by the White House press pool shows Vance kneeling over the Unction Stone, which Christians believe is the place where Jesus Christ's body was laid down after it was removed from the crucifix and prepared for burial.