On May 8, 2025, history was written when Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen the first-ever American pope, assuming the name Pope Leo XIV. While Catholics everywhere were overjoyed at the historic moment, however, one famous American was probably wincing at the news, Vice President JD Vance.
The internet didn’t waste any time revealing Pope Leo XIV’s old tweets, which betray a definite scorn for MAGA politics and, more precisely, for Vance himself. In the age of cyberspace where nothing actually disappears, the Pope’s virtual paper trail has lent a brazen, unlooked-for edge to the already contentious vice presidency of Vance.
A Pope with a Twitter Feed And Opinions
What distinguishes Pope Leo XIV is not so much his nationality. It’s his politically stated preferences, which look refreshingly uncensored for someone in so high a holy office. On X (formerly Twitter), the new pope has made his position quite clear on all manner of things, including immigration, Christianity and compassion, and the politics of America and JD Vance crops up a lot, and not positively.
One of the old posts that resurfaced from Leo XIV referenced an article with the title “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” which was heavily shared among progressive Catholic and Christian communities. Another tweet attacked Vance’s hardline immigration policy as being against the very Christian principles. These tweets, which were archived and marked by users, have since become viral.
For a man such as Vance, whose politics are inextricably connected to the MAGA agenda, this type of papal disapproval stings and the memes have been merciless.
JD Vance’s Unconvincing Attempt at Saving Face
In spite of previous criticism, Vance was quick to send a public congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. “Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!” he tweeted on X. “May God bless him.”
But customers weren’t having it. Comments on Vance’s post were scathing. One said, “He literally hates you lol,” and another, “You really congratulating a man who called you out on Christian hypocrisy?” The post quickly turned into an online roast session, with more than a thousand likes on some of the best zingers.
This is not new ground for Vance, who has had to work through similar awkwardness in his relationship with Donald Trump. In spite of Trump’s well-documented ambivalence towards him, Vance has been faithful, a pattern now being repeated with the Pope.
The Bigger Picture: Faith, Power, and Public Scrutiny
The feud between Pope Leo XIV and JD Vance extends beyond Twitter insults. It reflects a larger cultural moment where religious leadership is pushing back against political narratives, especially those that appear at odds with Christian teaching on compassion, inclusivity, and humility.
Leo XIV’s election also represents a possible sea change in the tone of the Catholic Church one that doesn’t hesitate to speak truth to political leaders, even from the pulpit or the platform previously known as Twitter. And if the Pope’s initial indications hold, this can mean more wincing on the part of Vance and other politicians balancing populism and politics with religion.
As the saga unfolds, the world will watch, not merely for papal edicts, but for statements, tweets, and the constant digital-age soap opera of politics vs. faith.
