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JD Vance Criticized for Disrespect After Pope’s Passing

Just a day before the sad passing of Pope Francis, JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, was welcomed into the pontiff’s home in Vatican City. However, during this visit, he allegedly broke an important rule, sparking criticism from many.

On April 21, we said goodbye to Pope Francis, a cherished spiritual leader whose time as pope was marked by kindness, reform, and strong moral guidance.

True to his candid nature, even in his final days, Pope Francis found himself amid a controversy.

JD Vance, who was spending the weekend with his family in Vatican City, reportedly experienced a snub from the pope on the Saturday before Easter. Instead, Vance met with the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Converting to Catholicism in 2019, Vance and Parolin spent their time together discussing their shared beliefs, the state of Catholicism in America, and the issues faced by Christian communities under persecution worldwide. They also touched upon President Trump’s efforts towards global peace.

The Vatican News detailed that their conversation included a spectrum of international issues, particularly spotlighting challenges in war-torn regions, political tensions, and humanitarian crises focusing on migrants, refugees, and prisoners.

A Short Meeting with Pope Francis

Before leading a service packed with worshipers at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis, who had criticized the Trump administration’s deportation policies, briefly greeted Vance. The short meeting provided them a chance to exchange Easter wishes.

According to Newsweek, Vance received three sizable chocolate Easter eggs for his children, a Vatican tie, and rosaries.

During their conversation, Vance expressed, “I know you have not been feeling well, but it’s heartening to see you in better health. Thank you for hosting me. I keep you in my prayers every day. God bless you.”

Following this encounter, Vance took to social media, posting several photos with the pope from their meeting on April 20, saying, “Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am thankful for his invitation and I pray for his well-being. Happy Easter!”

Exploring the Sistine Chapel

Although the focus wasn’t just the meeting with Pope Francis, the events of the previous day drew much attention.

On April 19, before his meeting with the pope, Vance and his family explored Vatican City, visiting significant historical sites including the Sistine Chapel.

A photo captured during their tour, showing Vance holding his son beneath Michelangelo’s magnificent artwork, quickly spread online, causing a stir among netizens.

“An unforgettable photo of Vice President JD Vance with his son inside the Sistine Chapel. Truly a special way to spend Easter,” conservative political figure Charlie Kirk tweeted, sharing what appeared to be an innocent family memory.

‘Completely Irresponsible’

The reaction online was immediate as critics pointed out what they saw as a major misstep by Vance and White House photographer Emily Higgins, who took the photo.

One user sharply commented, “Taking pictures in the Sistine Chapel is prohibited. Have some respect.”

Another person added, “Photography within the Sistine Chapel is strictly against the rules! Any dedicated Catholic knows this is wrong: rules for everyone but American officials—completely irresponsible!”

More criticism followed: “No photos in the Sistine Chapel are allowed. This is indicative of believing rules don’t apply to them.”

There were a few who came to Vance’s defense. A supporter argued back, “Wrong,” sharing a picture of Michelle Obama in the same chapel. “The Vatican granted permission for the photos, and even released their own footage of the visit. It’s similar to other official visits like Michelle Obama’s in 2009.”

The Vatican Museum’s rules say that while photography for personal use is generally allowed, flash photography is forbidden, and specifically in the Sistine Chapel, all photography and filming with electronic devices is prohibited.

It remains uncertain if Vance and Higgins had explicit permission for capturing images within this sacred site, and no video of their tour has surfaced.

Fond Farewell

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at approximately 7:35 a.m.

While in India during an official visit, Vance tweeted about the pope’s death: “I just learned of Pope Francis’s passing. My condolences to the countless Christians worldwide who loved him.

“It was a blessing to see him yesterday, despite his obvious frailty. His early COVID era homily is a memory I’ll treasure. May God grant him peaceful rest.”

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