Vance: Pope Needs to Be More 'Careful' When Talking Theology

Vice President JD Vance is continuing to scold Pope Leo XIV on the topic of God's stance on war, the New York Times reports. Speaking Tuesday at the University of Georgia during a Turning Point USA event, Vance defended the US bombing of Iran, and said the pope was incorrect when he said those who follow Jesus Christ are "never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs." Vance, a Catholic convert, countered by invoking World War II, asking whether God was on the side of Americans who freed France from the Nazis, and answering his own question by saying, "I certainly think the answer is yes."

The clash is just the latest example in a growing rift between the Trump administration and a key segment of its religious base. The latest clash began when President Trump branded the pope "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" after Leo reiterated his opposition to war; the pope said Tuesday that "God's heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies." Vance walked a careful line, saying he admires the pope but arguing that if Leo is "going to opine on matters of theology," his words must be "anchored in the truth." "In the same way that it's important for the vice president of the United States to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy, I think it's very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology," Vance said. As WION reports, the pope has a doctorate in theology.

As for the conservative campus event, the AP notes that "instead of showcasing the youthful energy that the organization harnessed to return ... Trump to the White House less than two years ago, there was a mostly empty arena, awkward questions, and unusually sharp criticism." When a heckler shouted that Jesus does not support genocide, Vance agreed. "Jesus Christ certainly does not support genocide, whoever yelled that out from the dark," he said.