The first U.S.-born Pope, Pope Leo XIV, had his inaugural Mass at the Vatican on Sunday.
Among the people in attendance at his mass were Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette, the Pope's brother Lou Prevost and his wife Deborah.
JD Vance and Usha Vance and Marco Rubio at Pope Leo inauguration mass pic.twitter.com/21tbp3XVJR
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 18, 2025
Lou Prevost is a big Trump supporter, and he's also a fan of JD Vance, so this must have been a very cool moment for him to be sitting right next to the VP and the secretary of state in the front row during the mass.
JD Vance and Usha Vance and Marco Rubio at Pope Leo Inauguration Mass at The Vatican pic.twitter.com/yRZnhp7flI
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV intones the Gloria at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry. pic.twitter.com/YhDgzoH0RU
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 18, 2025
Then all three couples greeted the Pope after the service. The Pope gave his brother a big hug.
Following his inaugural mass today in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV met with Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette, and his brother Lou Prevost and Lou's wife Deborah.
— Paul Villarreal (AKA Vince Manfeld) (@AureliusStoic1) May 18, 2025
. pic.twitter.com/UyTWnrrO1k
That cordial greeting to Vance and Rubio sparked some discussion because Pope Leo has posted negative tweets in the past about the Trump immigration policy, including in response to something JD Vance said. That made some on the left very happy.
READ MORE: Guests on CNN Flail in Their Efforts to Weaponize Choice of American-Born Pope Leo XIV Against Trump
However, some didn't appear happy with how the Pope greeted the Trump officials.
Diario AS said that some were "stunned with his strikingly cordial greeting" and that it "sparked commentary across media and diplomatic circles."
It's likely to hit the left hard that both the Pope and Vance can see past a difference and act like...Catholics. Sounds like they're already upset and confused about it.
If the Trump team is sharp, and I think they are, they should have Rubio and Vance talking with the Pope and his team to clear up media misconceptions and open clear lines of communication for the future.
It should also be noted that Pope Leo XIV took his name specifically referring back to Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum. If you read it, you can see that a big part of it is a powerful condemnation of socialism, the importance of the individual, and private property.
Vance also visited the tomb of Pope Francis. Vance had visited with Pope Francis the day before he died.
As he visits the tomb of Pope Francis, Vice President Vance appears to be wearing the Vatican tie that Pope Francis gifted him less than 24 hours before he died. https://t.co/1NsLYIfMZR pic.twitter.com/bELm9LjgX9
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) May 18, 2025
Team Trump has been thinking outside the box, and it’s refreshing after four years of Biden malaise.
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