Vance Expresses Thanks to Pope for Clarifying Stances

Vice President J.D. Vance shared his appreciation for Pope Leo XIV, who sought to lessen the perceived rift between him and President Donald Trump over the situation in Iran.

In a post on X, Vance remarked that the pope was sharing the Gospel, suggesting that the pontiff was addressing “the moral issues of the day.”

This statement by Vance came in response to remarks made by the Pope during his flight to Angola. The Pope indicated that his earlier comments from Cameroon had been premeditated and not intended to ignite controversy.

He also stated that reports surrounding his prior comments were “not accurate in every respect.”

“I am grateful to Pope Leo for saying this,” Vance expressed. “While the media often amplifies conflict, real disagreements can and will persist, yet the situation is usually more intricate than it appears.”

Vance further noted, “Pope Leo is preaching the Gospel, which involves discussing the pressing moral challenges today. The president and the entire administration are devoted to applying these ethical principles in a world filled with turmoil.”

During his address in Cameroon, the Pope spoke about the destruction caused by a few tyrants, emphasizing a need for significant changes in direction to foster human fraternity.

Earlier, on April 12, President Trump had described the Pope as “weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy.” He criticized the Pope for speaking about fears under the Trump administration without acknowledging the fears faced by the Catholic Church during COVID-19.

Trump’s comments followed the Pope’s calls for those with arms to put them down, urging for peace achieved through dialogue rather than force.