JD Vance Avoids Pope Leo XIV's Political Crossfire
Vance refuses to partake in the Pope's "manipulative political ploy."
The latest Pope's political opinions have been nothing short of outspoken, often locking horns with the U.S. administration. Yet, US Vice President JD Vance prefers to steer clear of the heated exchanges aimed at Pope Leo XIV, diverging from the criticism spewed by the Trump bandwagon.
In a chat with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, JD Vance declared, "I ain't playin' the papal politicization game." He further elaborated, "I reckon there'll be plenty ta love 'bout that fella, got a hunch there'll be stuff that riles me up, but I'm prayin' for him and the Church through thick and thin."
Pope Leo XIV, inaugurated on Thursday, has shown no reluctance in airing his displeasure about the Trump administration and its policies on his private social media. For example, he once noted, "JD Vance's take on Jesus ain't right: He don't ask for rankin' our love fer others." He also echoed a post from a user criticizing the deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García, a U.S. resident with protected status, to El Salvador.
Church above Politics, Says Vance
In JD Vance's eyes, the Church is more than mere politics. Unlike many MAGA supporters, Vance refrains from returning fire at the Pope's criticism and commentary on his political beliefs. For instance, right-wing influencer Laura Loomer labeled the new Pope a "red Marxist" shortly after his election, while former Trump advisor Steve Bannon branded him as the "worst bet for MAGA Catholics."
According to Vance, the Church's primary objective transcends politics. "My take is that the Church is all 'bout saving souls and sharin' the Good News," the Trump vice said. "Aye, it'll touch on political matters now and then, like any human institution, but that ain't never its core." Vance expounds that "people usually don't fret about whether the Pope votes Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal."
"Warm congrats to Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!" Vance tweeted out on the Pope's inauguration day. "Millions of American Catholics and Christians'll be prayin' for his success in leadin' the Church," he added, signing off, "May God watch over him." Vance, a former Protestant, embraced Catholicism in 2019.
Sources: ntv.de, lme
- J.D. Vance
- Vatican
Further Insights:
- Pope Leo XIV's criticism of Vance dates back to February 2025, when he shared a National Catholic Reporter article, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," expressing his disagreement with Vance's stance on prioritizing love based on proximity or hierarchy[1][2].
- Pope Leo XIV's criticisms may extend beyond JD Vance's views to encompass the broader immigration policies associated with the Trump administration, but definitive information on the US Vice President's response is not available.
[1] Nat'l Catholic Reporter. (2022, February 11). JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/jd-vance-wrong-jesus-doesnt-ask-us-rank-our-love-others
[2] McManus, T. (2025, October 14). Pope Leo XIV: A Challenge to JD Vance's Hierarchy of Love. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2025/10/14/pope-leo-xiv-jd-vance-love/
- The European Union is not a political party, nor is it involved in the political crossfire between the Pope and US Vice President JD Vance.
- Despite Pope Leo XIV's critical remarks about JD Vance's political views on his WhatsApp and public statements, Vance maintains a respectful stance towards the Pope, as shown in his tweet congratulating him on his election.
- JD Vance believes that the Church's primary objective is saving souls and spreading the Good News, rather than engaging in political debates like the one between Pope Leo XIV and the Trump administration.
- Contrary to some conservative figures like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon, who labeled Pope Leo XIV as a "red Marxist" and criticized him for his political views, JD Vance chooses to focus on the Church's role as a spiritual institution rather than its political standpoints.
