JD Vance has expressed his endorsement for Pope Leo XIV succeeding Pope Francis, but this does not imply that the pope shares the same sentiment.
On May 8, it was announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost would take on the role of leading the Church after the passing of Pope Francis last month.
At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV has become the first American to ascend to this position.
The news was warmly received by U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, with the president even joking about being the next in line for the papacy himself.
However, whether this respect and admiration is reciprocated is another question. Regarding JD Vance, Pope Leo has been quite vocal in the past.
The newly elected pope seemingly criticized Vance by retweeting an op-ed from the National Catholic Reporter titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
This article was in response to Vance’s comments made in February during an interview with Fox News, where he stated: “There is a Christian concept that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.
“A lot of the far left has completely inverted that.”
Despite Pope Leo’s remarks about Vance, the vice president publicly supported the new pope on Twitter following the official announcement.
Vance tweeted: “Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
Similarly, Trump expressed his approval on Truth Social, writing: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.
“What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.
“I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
These comments from Trump come despite numerous posts shared by Pope Leo that criticize his policies.