US Vice President JD Vance said he was “grateful” after Pope Leo XIV decided to ease tensions with President Donald Trump, after days of public spat between the Vatican and the White House over remarks related to the Iran conflict.
Pope Leo said on Saturday that he was not interested in a public dispute with the US administration.
“It is not in my interest to discuss the president at all,” he said, adding that his focus is on “peace, justice and brotherhood.”
He also noted, “Much of what has been written since then has been commentaries on commentaries trying to interpret what was said.”
Pope Leo XIV said on Saturday that media coverage of his recent visit to Africa had created “a certain narrative that was not accurate in all its aspects”.
He added that his speech had been prepared weeks earlier and was not intended to be a response to Trump, quashing interpretations that he was taking direct aim at US politics.
Vance: “Grateful” for Pope’s clarification
Vance, who met the pope during a visit to the Vatican in 2025 and is Catholic, welcomed the clarification.
“While the media narrative constantly creates conflict — and yes, there have been and will be real disagreements — the reality is often much more complicated,” Vance said.
He added: “Pope Leo preaches the gospel as he should… The president – and the entire administration – are working to apply these moral principles in a chaotic world. He will be in our prayers and I hope we will be in his.”
Earlier warning from Vance
Tensions initially surfaced after Vance suggested the pope should be “careful” when speaking out on theological and political issues, reflecting unease within the administration about the Vatican’s statement.
Pope criticizes “manipulation of religion”
The controversy began after Pope Leo in Cameroon made remarks criticizing those who “manipulate religion” for political or military gain.
He said: “Jesus told us that blessed are the peacemakers. But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain and drag that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”
The comments were widely interpreted as a reference to global conflicts, including US policy towards Iran.
Warning against escalation and “civilization” rhetoric
The Pope also condemned rhetoric suggesting extreme escalation, calling US President Donald Trump’s remarks against Iran’s “entire civilization” “truly unacceptable”.
Trump responded sharply, calling the pope “WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy,” escalating a public exchange between Washington and the Vatican.
