Vice President J.D. Vance came to President Trump’s defense on Saturday after the president sparked outrage with a Truth Social post depicting himself as a pope just days after the death of Pope Francis a move that triggered widespread backlash and stirred deep emotions across the Catholic community.
Critics, including longtime political figures and religious leaders, condemned the post as insensitive and inappropriate during a time of mourning for millions of Catholics. Among those criticizing the image was Bill Kristol, former chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle during the Bush administration, who questioned Vance directly on X, writing, “Hey, @JDVance, you fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father?”
Vance, who joined the Catholic Church in 2019, didn’t hold back in his response. “As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen,” he wrote, taking a jab at Kristol’s support for the Iraq War. Vance’s defense of Trump highlighted his unwavering loyalty as vice president and a close ally who has often echoed the president’s confrontational tone.
The controversial image, which was also reposted by the official White House account, drew strong rebukes from religious leaders. The Catholic Bishops of New York State publicly called out the president, posting, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”
The backlash underscored growing tension between the Trump administration and religious communities in the wake of Pope Francis’ death. On April 30, the Vatican confirmed that the conclave to select a new pope would begin May 7, marking a historic and somber moment for Catholics worldwide.
Rep. Ted Lieu of California, who is also Catholic, joined the chorus of disapproval, stating bluntly on X, “As a Catholic, I take great offense to Donald Trump mocking Catholics.”
The controversy has intensified debate over the boundaries of political expression, humor, and respect for religious traditions, with Trump’s critics calling the post tone-deaf and inflammatory during a sacred period for the Church.
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