Vice President JD Vance pushed back against Vatican criticism, urging Pope Leo XIV to “stick to matters of morality” and leave U.S. policy to elected leaders.
Speaking on Fox News, Vance drew a clear line between spiritual authority and government responsibility, saying the president should be the one “dictating American public policy.”
The exchange follows tensions between the White House and the first American pope, who has criticized the administration on issues like immigration and Iran. President Trump responded by calling the pope “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy,” while emphasizing concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Pope Leo, however, rejected any political motive, stressing, “I do not look at my role as being political,” and pointing instead to the Gospel message: “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”
