'Baby Catholic' Vance Responds to Pope's Criticism

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration Friday, without responding to any of its specifics or the pontiff's apparent criticism of Vance's own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies, per the AP. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, sought to downplay the controversy at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, saying he and his family pray daily for the hospitalized 88-year-old pontiff. Vance told the gathering he wasn't there to litigate "about who's right and who's wrong," though he said he would continue to defend his views. But he spoke in conciliatory terms, crediting Francis as one who cares about Christians and "the spiritual direction of the faith."

Vance, who led the gathering in a prayer for Francis' health, asserted that religious leaders shouldn't be treated as social-media influencers subject to constant debate. Francis issued a major rebuke earlier in February to the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations, warning that it would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. Francis also apparently responded to Vance directly. Vance, on social media, had defended the administration's America-first policies by citing centuries-old teachings on "ordo amoris," or the order of love, saying people must prioritize their families and those closest to them. Francis, in a subsequent statement, said a true understanding of that teaching is reflected in a "love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception."

Vance didn't address that issue specifically but called himself a "baby Catholic" and acknowledged there are "things about the faith that I don't know." He added: "I try to be humble as best I can when I talk about the faith and publicly, because of course, I'm not always going to get it right." He also acknowledged taking criticism from bishops, without mentioning what precipitated recent criticism—his claim that the bishops were taking millions of dollars in government aid to "resettle illegal immigrants." In fact, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has received millions to resettle legally approved refugees, though it is now battling the Trump administration in court over the cut-off of such funding. One leading cardinal called Vance's claim "scurrilous." (More JD Vance stories.)