JD Vance congratulated Pope Robert Prevost on becoming the first American pope, despite previous tension over immigration views.
JD Vance Publicly congratulates Pope Robert Prevost
On May 8, Vice President JD Vance responded to the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.
Writing on X, Vance said, ” ‘I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!’
He added that millions of American Catholics would pray for his leadership.
Vance expressed admiration and support, ending his message with: “May God bless him!”
His post came hours after white smoke signaled the conclave’s decision in Vatican City.
JD Vance’s Relationship with the Church and the late Pope Francis
Previously, JD Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019 and has since spoken openly about his Christian beliefs.
Earlier this year, he met Pope Francis privately during Easter week at the Vatican. The meeting was brief, but meaningful.
Following the Pope’s death the next day, Vance posted a tribute, recalling a sermon from early in the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “I’ll always remember him for that beautiful homily.”
The Vice President’s Immigration spark Catholic criticism
In January, Vance defended Trump-era immigration policies.
He also cited the concept of “ordo amoris”, or rightly ordered love.
Additionally, he explained that Christian love follows a hierarchy—starting with family, then country, and then others globally.
‘You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world,’ Vance said in an interview on Fox News.
He doubled down on this belief in social media posts, stating: “The idea that there isn’t a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense.”
Pope Prevost shared criticism of Vance’s immigration stance
Earlier in 2025, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost shared two critical articles about Vance’s use of “ordo amoris” to justify his immigration views.
Both articles came from respected Catholic sources.
The first, by Kat Armas, appeared in the National Catholic Reporter.
Armas wrote:’JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,’ the headline read as Armas criticized Vance for using the medieval concept to defend his vision of immigration.
‘The empire’s vision of love is built on scarcity, but the kingdom of God is built on abundance,’ she wrote. ‘If we find ourselves asking, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ — we are already missing the point. The better question is: How do I love without limits?’
She argued that love in God’s kingdom is abundant and non-exclusive.
The second article, from Jesuit priest Sam Sawyer, published in Jesuit Review, focused on Pope Francis’ teachings.
Sawyer wrote that many American Catholics support immigration views contrary to Catholic doctrine.
He suggested that the Church must challenge its followers to rethink their stance.
Pope Francis quietly addressed the immigration debate in a final pastoral letter
In February, Pope Francis issued a letter to U.S. bishops discussing immigration, dignity, and love.
Without naming Vance, the Pope referenced “ordo amoris” directly.
He emphasized that true love is modeled in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, promoting “a fraternity open to all, without exception.”
The letter reflected the Pope’s concern about politicized distortions of Gospel values.
Although public disagreement existed, “Vance and Francis met peacefully” just before the Pope’s death.
During their brief meeting, Vance said, “I pray for you every day.”
After Francis passed away, Vance acknowledged the Pope’s declining health but expressed gratitude for their final conversation.
“He was obviously very ill,” Vance said, “but I was happy to see him one last time.”