US Vice President JD Vance hit back at criticism from the Vatican, saying the church should avoid meddling in US politics.
“Certainly I think in some cases it would be best for the Vatican to stick to things of morality,” Vance told Fox News. “And let the President of the United States stick to dictating American public policy.”
The remarks come amid growing tensions between the Trump administration and Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized US positions on immigration and the Iran conflict.
US President Donald Trump escalated the dispute over the weekend and attacked the Pope on social media.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy,” Trump wrote, adding, “I don’t want a pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
The Pope rejects a political role
In response to the criticism, Pope Leo XIV rejected suggestions that he was acting politically.
“The message of the Church, my message, the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said. “I don’t look at my role as politics, as a politician.
“Disagreements are natural”
Vance sought to defuse tensions, framing the dispute as part of the normal relationship between political and religious institutions.
“We certainly have a good relationship with the Vatican, but from time to time we also (will) disagree on important issues,” he said. “I think it’s a perfectly reasonable thing to do.
He added that such disagreements are not unusual: “It’s not particularly interesting.”
Pope Leo XIV promises to continue speaking out against the war
Pope Leo XIV has said he will continue to speak out against war despite Trump’s sharp criticism, stressing that promoting peace is the church’s “moral duty”.
“I will continue to speak loudly against war, I will try to promote peace, promote dialogue and multilateral relations between states,” the pope told Reuters on board his flight to Algeria.
“Too many people are suffering … too many innocent people are being killed. And I think somebody has to stand up and say, ‘There’s a better way.’
He refuses to engage in direct confrontation with Trump
Despite the escalating rhetoric, the Pope has tried to avoid a direct confrontation with Washington.
“I don’t want to get into a debate with him,” Pope Leo said, referring to Trump.
“I don’t think the gospel message should be abused the way some people do.”
He reiterated that his role is not political: “The message of the Church… ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’. I don’t see my role as political.”
Trump has stepped up criticism of Iran’s stance
The tension comes amid disagreements over the US-led war with Iran, which the pope has criticized.
Trump rejected Leo’s position, saying, “Pope Leo said things that are wrong … He was very opposed to what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you can’t have a nuclear Iran.”
Trump previously described the pope as “WEAK on crime and terrible on foreign policy.”
He also insisted there was “nothing to apologize for” regarding his remarks.
‘I’m not afraid’: The Pope will push
Leo has made it clear that he will not be deterred by political pressure.
“I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or speaking out loud about the message of the gospel,” he said.
He added that the Church’s mission remains focused on peace and reconciliation, not geopolitics: “We are not politicians… the Church’s mission is very clear.”
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