JD Vance Says ‘Disagreements' With Pope Leo Will Happen
Vice President JD Vance appears eager to mend fences between Pope Leo XIV and the Trump administration, putting their recent spat down to the fact “disagreements have happened and will happen” in a post shared to X.
Vance was responding to a video posted on X of a Fox News report in which Pope Leo XIV downplayed tensions, telling supporters there has been a “narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects.” The pontiff added that it was “not in my interest at all” to engage in a debate with President Donald Trump, preferring to focus instead on preaching a message of peace.
The comments were seized upon by Vance, who struck a more-conciliatory tone just days after criticizing Pope Leo, while attempting to put any conflict down to the media. “I am grateful to Pope Leo for saying this,” Vance wrote in the X post. “While the media narrative constantly gins up conflict-and yes, real disagreements have happened and will happen-the reality is often much more complicated.”
Vance continued: “Pope Leo preaches the gospel, as he should, and that will inevitably mean he offers his opinions on the moral issues of the day. The President-and the entire administration-work to apply those moral principles in a messy world. He will be in our prayers, and I hope that we’ll be in his.”
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
Why It Matters
Vance had been openly critical after Pope Leo's comments over the Iran war. Pope Leo said the conflict had been caused by the “delusion of omnipotence” and had led to “absurd and inhuman violence.” While Trump took to Truth Social to hit back, Vance responded at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia where he warned Pope Leo off discussing theology, saying: “it's very, very important for the pope to be careful.” He added that “it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality.”
What To Know
Vance’s criticism came despite the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, a national body representing Catholic bishops in America, previously stressing Pope Leo’s comments were in line with Catholic teachings. Bishop James Massa, chairman of the USCCB committee, said: “When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ.”
Now, Vance appears to have changed his stance on the issue; something not lost on those following along on social media.
Though the vice president appeared eager to point the finger at the “media narrative” as the main driver behind the dispute, many were unconvinced by his sudden about-turn on the issue.
Anti-Trump X user Charlie Reuter, posting as @CharlieReu89745, commented: “This man has no shame, the media didn't gin up conflict, and JD is only here trying to spin this narrative because of the reports on losing support from the Catholic community. If he was sincere here he would take responsibility for the part he played in stirring the pot.”
User @OmranPrime posted: “Respectful tone like this matters. Real leadership is balancing moral principles with the hard realities of governing.”
Another user @KnoxGroyp, who describes himself as “America first” and a “Christian,” shared a screenshot of Vance's comments telling the pope to “stick to matters of morality.” The user wrote alongside it, “Dude you and Trump were the ones who ginned up conflict. You're a fake Catholic.”
User @TTAYLORJOEHD saw both sides: “Love this mature take. Real leadership acknowledges complexity while staying rooted in gospel values. God bless both.”
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 8:25 AM.