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Liberty Caller Editorial Team

Vance’s SHOCKING Statement – Wait, WHAT?

Vice President JD Vance extends prayers and support for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV while advocating for a separation between papal leadership and American political divisions.

At a Glance

  • Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American Pope in history
  • Prior to his election, the new Pope had publicly criticized JD Vance’s statements about “ranking love” in relation to Trump’s America First policies
  • Vance was among the last world leaders to meet with Pope Francis before his death, describing it as a “sign from God”
  • The Vice President has called for Americans to view the Catholic Church beyond partisan politics, focusing instead on its spiritual mission

A Historic Election and Previous Tensions

The Catholic Church has witnessed a historic moment with the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. The new pontiff, who previously served as a missionary in Peru before being made a cardinal in 2023, was brought to Rome by Pope Francis to oversee the selection of Catholic bishops. His election comes with pre-existing tension between the new Pope and the current administration, as Leo XIV had previously criticized Vice President JD Vance on social media prior to his election to the papacy.

The disagreement centered around Vance’s defense of the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda, where the Vice President had stated: “You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country, and then after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.” Pope Leo, then Cardinal Prevost, responded directly, tweeting: “JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” linking to an article criticizing the medieval concept known as ordo amoris.

Vance’s Diplomatic Response

Despite the earlier criticism, Vice President Vance has taken a respectful and supportive stance toward the new Pope. In recent comments, Vance expressed his well-wishes for Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing his commitment as a Catholic to support the new leader of his faith. “I just wish him the best, right? I’m a Catholic. He’s now the head of the Catholic Church, and we’ll pray for his wisdom, for his good decisions, and his good health, and hope that he has a long and successful papacy,” Vance stated in an interview with Hugh Hewitt.

“I’m not going to soil the man’s legacy by talking about politics. I think he was a great Christian pastor, and that’s how I choose to remember the Holy Father.”, said JD Vance.

The Vice President’s diplomatic approach follows his experience as possibly the last world leader to meet with Pope Francis before his death. Vance described that Easter Sunday meeting as “very gracious,” noting the Pope’s frailty but kindness. He later reflected that the timing of their meeting, just hours before the pontiff’s passing, felt like “a sign from God” to cherish life. During that final audience, Pope Francis gave Vance gifts for his children, Vatican ties, and rosaries.

Beyond American Politics

In his comments about both the late Pope Francis and the new Pope Leo XIV, Vance has consistently advocated for a perspective that views the Catholic Church as larger than American political debates. He has expressed concern about media coverage that attempts to filter papal statements and actions through the lens of U.S. partisan politics. “A lot of people, especially in the American press, want to make the Holy Father — his entire legacy and even his death — about American politics,” Vance noted regarding Pope Francis.

As a Catholic convert, Vance has acknowledged the challenges of interpreting papal positions through the lens of domestic politics. He suggests that both American media and Catholics should adopt a broader perspective that recognizes the Church’s global spiritual mission rather than focusing on political implications. This approach reflects the complex nature of Catholic doctrines that often defy easy categorization within American political frameworks, with teachings that sometimes align with conservative positions and other times with progressive ones.

Looking Forward

While public commentary and late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert have highlighted the potential political dimensions of Pope Leo XIV’s election, particularly his previous criticism of Vance, the Vice President has chosen to focus on the Church’s broader mission. Vance has refrained from offering political advice regarding the papacy, instead emphasizing prayer for wisdom for the new pontiff as he takes on his role as the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.

The situation highlights the complex relationship between faith and politics for Catholic public figures in American life. As the first American Pope leads the Catholic Church and a Catholic serves as Vice President, the intersection of religious belief and political policy will likely continue to present both challenges and opportunities for meaningful dialogue about values, priorities, and the proper relationship between spiritual and temporal authority in public life.

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