Pope Leo XIV didn’t mention names, but the message landed loud and clear. During his first homily as leader of the Catholic Church, the newly elected pontiff appeared to take a veiled shot at Donald Trump’s political doctrine. Vice President JD Vance was seated just feet away.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest,” Pope Leo said Sunday, addressing a packed audience that included world leaders and high-ranking U.S. officials.
🇺🇸✝️ Pope Leo XIV greets Vice President J.D. Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio following his Inaugural Mass at the Vatican. pic.twitter.com/NnSiSbLw7u
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 18, 2025
Among those in attendance were Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Pope Leo didn’t mince words about the world’s moral direction, warning that faith shouldn’t be used as a weapon or tool of influence.
“Never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power,” he added, as quoted by The New York Times.
The message came as Donald Trump continues to double down on harsh rhetoric and policies, from cracking down on immigration to musing about seizing land and resources abroad. His ideas have ranged from invading Greenland to taking control of Gaza and negotiating resource deals with Ukraine that favor the U.S.
Vance and Rubio’s presence in Vatican City marked a significant moment, especially given Leo’s past remarks. Prior to his election as pope, Leo, then Cardinal Robert Prevost, criticized the Trump-era stance on immigration. On a now-deleted X account, he had even reposted an op-ed titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Despite the history, Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, met briefly with Pope Leo after the Mass. The handshake sparked speculation about whether it signaled a softening of views or a diplomatic olive branch. Earlier this month, Vance dismissed the papal criticism, “I try not to play the politicization of the Pope game,” he told reporters.
Some even said the Pope gave Vance a cold response. Some criticized the VP regarding his approach towards him, as he kipped kissing the ring. “Nobody taught him minimal protocol? Pope’s not his buddy,” read one comment.
Vance had also met Pope Francis shortly before his death. Francis, known for his advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees, had also publicly pushed back on Trump-era policies. Leo and Francis were reportedly close, and on Saturday, Leo was seen visiting Francis’ tomb, wearing what some identified as a tie gifted to him by the late pope.
Pope Leo XIV receives the Ring of the Fisherman, or Piscatory Ring, from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, during the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18.https://t.co/xecWpE8NXj pic.twitter.com/ri1bx1dErE
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 18, 2025
During the Mass, Leo talked about the urgency of global crises and expressed hope that his papacy would guide the Church in confronting them. He didn’t shy away from addressing current humanitarian disasters either, stating, according to The New York Times, that families in Gaza “are reduced to hunger” and that violent conflict in Myanmar has claimed “young innocent lives.”
Roughly 200,000 people gathered at the Vatican for the inaugural Mass. And with U.S. political figures in the crowd, the pope’s carefully worded call for compassion and unity felt anything but subtle.
Scroll below to see some moments from Pope Leo’s inaugural mass.
