Vice President JD Vance Issues Theological Warning to Pope at Georgia Rally
Vice President JD Vance has publicly cautioned Pope Leo to exercise care when discussing theological matters, following recent high-profile disputes between the Catholic leader and President Donald Trump. The remarks were delivered during a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event in Athens, Georgia, where noticeable empty seats highlighted a lower-than-expected turnout.
Vance Questions Pope's Stance on Just War Theory
During an interview with TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, Vance was asked to comment on the escalating conflict between the pope and the president. Trump had previously criticized Pope Leo as "terrible for foreign policy" after the pontiff denounced the Iran war, with Leo responding that he has "no fear of the Trump administration." The pope had earlier stated on social media that disciples of Christ are "never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs."
Vance, a convert to Catholicism, challenged this perspective by invoking just war theory. "How can you say that God was never on the side of those who wield the sword?" he questioned. "Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated Holocaust camps?" He asserted that the answer is yes, emphasizing his belief in divinely sanctioned military actions under certain conditions.
The vice president then directly addressed Pope Leo's expertise, noting the pontiff's five decades of church service. "In the same way 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 stated.
Iran War and Heckler Confrontation
Vance also dedicated significant time to discussing the ongoing Iran war, which has caused widespread violence in the Middle East and raised global economic concerns. He claimed that a ceasefire is currently holding and that he "made a ton of progress" during recent negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, though he acknowledged that talks ultimately collapsed. President Trump, he said, desires a deal where Iran abandons nuclear weapons and terrorism while integrating into the world economy.
However, Vance recognized that the conflict lacks universal support, particularly among young voters. "I recognize that a lot of young voters don't love the policy that we have in the Middle East," he admitted, pointing to border security achievements as an alternative success. His comments were interrupted by a heckler who accused the administration of "killing children" in Gaza, prompting Vance to blame former President Joe Biden for Gaza's "absolute catastrophe" and credit Trump with brokering peace.
Defense of Erika Kirk Amid Controversy
The event began with Vance vehemently defending TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, against what he called "disgusting" attacks. Influential commentators, including Candace Owens, have accused Kirk of profiting from her husband's death and showing insufficient grief, with some implying involvement in his demise without evidence.
"Everybody is attacking her over everything and they're lying about her, and it's one of the most disgraceful things I've ever seen in public life," Vance declared. "To say that Erika Kirk wasn't grieving her husband that day, to say that Erika Kirk is somehow complicit in it is so preposterous and so disgusting." Kirk had planned to appear at the event but withdrew due to "very serious threats," according to organizers, though Owens attributed her absence to poor ticket sales.
Context of a Challenging Week
The TPUSA appearance capped a difficult period for Vance, marked by diplomatic setbacks and political losses. His negotiations in Islamabad failed shortly after President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended a UFC fight in Miami. Additionally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a key European ally, lost his reelection bid just one week after Vance visited Budapest to support him. The event itself, held at the Akins Ford Arena, was documented on social media with videos showing numerous empty seats, underscoring the subdued atmosphere.
