Vice President JD Vance has warned Pope Leo XIV to be “careful” when talking about theology, in response to the pope’s recent criticism of US military actions and foreign policy.
Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday (April 14), Vance said religious leaders should be precise when speaking out on issues of war and morality.
“I think it’s very, very important that the pope be careful when he talks about matters of theology,” Vance said. “If you want to comment on issues of theology, you have to be careful. You have to make sure it’s grounded in truth.”
Disagreement about war and moral framing
Vance pushed back Pope Leo’s suggestion that Jesus “is never on the side of those who once held the sword and dropping bombs today,” arguing that historical conflicts complicate such interpretations.
“Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated the Holocaust camps…? I definitely think the answer is yes,” he said.
He added that while he respects the pope’s voice on social issues, he doesn’t always agree with his stance on war.
“I like it when the pope talks about abortion or immigration or war and peace stuff, but I think it’s very important to be careful,” Vance said.
Call for mutual caution in public comment
Vance also compared the expectations of religious and political leaders, suggesting that both should be cautious when dealing with sensitive issues.
“It’s important that the vice president of the United States be careful when I talk about matters of public policy,” he said. “I think it’s very, very important that the Pope be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”
Tension between Trump and the Pope is escalating
The exchange comes amid growing friction between Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict and broader foreign policy.
Trump has publicly criticized the pope, calling him “WEAK on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy” after the pope condemned the Iran war.
Image AI controversy raises tensions
The dispute followed controversy over a social media post by Trump, who shared an AI-generated image of himself in a Christ-like figure. He later deleted the post after backlash from supporters.
