JD Vance has been criticized for his ‘inappropriate’ gesture to Pope Leo during his ceremony.
After the death of Pope Francis last month, aged 88, many were left wondering who would replace him in the important role as head of the Church.
On May 8, it was revealed that a replacement was chosen as Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69 – who’s papal name is Pope Leo XIV – making him the first American pope in history.
It appears that the VP is not well versed in Catholic tradition however, after one particular gesture upon meeting the head of the church.
The 69-year-old has previously shared his thoughts on Republicans, with many statements resurfacing that he previously made about Trump’s policies.
The internet went wild, scouring Pope Leo’s previous tweets, one of which reads: “As Trump & Bukele use Oval to Feds’ illicit deportation of a US resident, once an undoc-ed Salvadorean himself, now-DC Aux +Evelio asks, ‘Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?’”
It was also reported by The Independent, thay Prevost shared: “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”
He had also hit out at Vance, after resharing an op-ed from the National Catholic Reporter called: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
The name in reference to comments made by Vance in February on Fox News: “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.”
Responding to this, Vance told The Independent: “I’m sure [Pope Leo] he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with, but I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all and through it all.”
Now, it seem Vance has messed up once more when meeting the pope on May 18. The men shook hands and shared a few words before Vance put his arm out to gently pat the pope on his elbow – a move that has angered many online.
One person commented that this was a clear sign of ‘disrespect’ while another shared that it was ‘almost condescending’ and like ‘patting a puppy’s head before moving along’.
A third shared online that: “J.D. Vance embarrassed himself again at the Vatican when he attempted to pat Pope Leo XIV on the shoulder like a drinking buddy in St. Peter’s Basilica after the papal inauguration mass.”
Watch the exchange below:
JD Vance, joined by his wife, Usha Vance, met Pope Leo XIV following the pontiff’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 18, 2025
What do you notice? pic.twitter.com/rQXxObUqUH
There are several rules when meeting the pope, including addressing him as ‘Your Holiness.’ and only when spoken to – not touching him unless invited to do so, such as a hand shake.