Media Trips Up Again, Claims Pope Snubbed Vance - Here's the Private Meeting They Had, Gifts Exchanged

I reported how Pope Leo XIV greeted Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the Pope's inaugural Mass on Sunday. It was also interesting to see the Pope's brother sitting right next to Vance and his wife in the American delegation during the mass. Lou Prevost is a big Trump supporter and a fan of Vance, so that must have been fun.

But the media was at it again, spinning away about the greeting. Check out this headline from The Daily Beast, painting the greeting as a "snub" on Sunday.

pic.twitter.com/EO2zqS1wC1
— Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) May 19, 2025

Other outlets like The Daily Mail ran similar takes.

Now, if they met, it's pretty hard to call that a snub, but that's how they tried to spin it anyway. They seem not to notice it's the Pope's inauguration, so he has a lot going on and many leaders to meet. Of course, this is about stoking some illusion that the Pope hates Vance to make Vance look bad. But that's ridiculous since that goes against the whole nature of being Pope. They don't seem to get that their scenario would make the Pope look bad, that they're inherently attacking the Pope without realizing it.

This isn't the first time they've tried this and printed absolute nonsense about Vance. The Daily Beast previously accused him of violating a rule about taking pictures in the Sistine Chapel. After excoriating him in a story, buried deep down in the story was the fact that Vance had permission. He was with Vatican officials.

It turns out that the media's spin was even worse than one might think when pictures and video came out on Monday of the private meeting that Vance had with Pope Leo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also in the meeting.

Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with US Vice President @JDVance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio @SecRubio, who attended the Inauguration Mass of his pontificate. pic.twitter.com/FqWqOIhTJe
— EWTN News (@EWTNews) May 19, 2025

The Daily Beast spoke too soon, and even then they weren't correct.

Vance told the Pope that many Americans were very excited about his selection. He also gave him a letter from President Donald Trump and the First Lady, inviting the Pope to the White House.

He and the Pope even exchanged gifts. Vance gave him a Chicago Bears jersey with his name and number. He also gave the Pope - who is an Augustinian priest - two books by St. Augustine, the "City of God" and "On Christian Doctrine."

Meanwhile, the Pope gave Vance a bronze sculpture that said in Italian, “Peace is a fragile flower.” He also gave him a picture book of the papal apartments, saying he might live in them, but he hasn't decided yet.

I said in my prior story that Vance and Rubio should work on communication with the Pope so he isn't just getting media spin about the Trump administration, and it looks like they were on that during the visit.

🚨 Stunning image this morning

U.S. 🇺🇸 Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. 🇺🇸 Secretary of State Marco Rubio sitting before His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

(Looking almost like two schoolboys at a headmaster’s office…)

Make Vatican Diplomacy Great Again! pic.twitter.com/vprUQrWBrM
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) May 19, 2025

Earlier today in the Vatican, Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Rubio's wife Jeanette met with Pope Leo XIV.
. pic.twitter.com/pwldJHvv7c
— Paul Villarreal (AKA Vince Manfeld) (@AureliusStoic1) May 19, 2025

Vance was on his right in this picture and his brother Lou was on his left.

I love how Louis Prevost, the Pope’s brother, is now part of the US government delegation headed up by VP JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, having an audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV pic.twitter.com/PD630QxiES
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 19, 2025

Looks like the Pope and Vance had a good meeting, regardless of media spin to the contrary.

I was humbled and honored to meet Pope Leo XIV and lead the presidential delegation to Rome for his inaugural mass. We had a great conversation, and I know he is a true servant of God.

I hope all Americans will join me in praying for the new pope as he begins his ministry. https://t.co/z7Q9J48Sdz
— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 19, 2025

Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie.

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