JD Vance’s ‘inappropriate’ Pope move explained.
The U.S. Vice President is under fire—again—after cameras caught him making what critics are calling an “inappropriate” gesture toward the newly elected Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo’s connection to JD vance highlighted.
Chicago-born and deeply progressive, Pope Leo made headlines for his past tweets criticizing Donald Trump and hardline Republican policies.
In one resurfaced post, Pope Leo even shared an article labeling JD Vance “wrong” about a theological issue.
Speaking on the controversy, Vance told a radio show, “I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all and through it all.”
Vance anticipated friction, but few expected what actually happened.
Rules of meeting Pope clarified.
When meeting the Pope, you don’t talk unless spoken to, you don’t touch unless invited.
For men, it’s suits and ties. For women, conservative dresses or suits. Think elegant, not elected.
The official greeting is “Your Holiness.” And that’s it. No “dude,” “sir,” or “hey man.”
Touching the Pope without invitation is considered a major faux pas, tantamount to grabbing the Queen’s handbag.
The traditions date back centuries, and every gesture—from bowing to speaking—is choreographed with spiritual significance.
“This isn’t just about manners,” one Vatican analyst said. “It’s about understanding the global stage you’re on.”
JD Vance’s interaction with Pope Leo decoded.
The moment came during a formal introduction at the Pope’s inaugural mass, where Vance reached out and gave the pontiff an all-too-casual pat on the elbow.
Pope Leo, notably the first American pontiff in history, didn’t react outwardly, but observers say Vatican officials were reportedly less than amused.
This wasn’t Vance’s first stumble inside Vatican walls—last month, he caused uproar for taking unauthorized photos inside the Sistine Chapel.
After meeting Pope Francis in April, Vance posted images from the sacred site online—photos strictly banned under Vatican rules.
While unrelated, the timing was eerie—Pope Francis passed away shortly after Vance’s controversial visit, sparking intense scrutiny.
Initial moments of the meeting seemed cordial, with handshakes and brief words—until the tap that set the internet ablaze.
Video footage shows Vance extending his arm in what appears to be an awkward, overly relaxed pat on the Pope’s arm.
Reactions to Vance’s move profiled.
Social media lit up immediately, with users accusing Vance of being “overly familiar,” “condescending,” and acting like he was greeting an old college roommate.
The backlash was swift, with some saying it looked like Vance was “patting a puppy” rather than showing reverence to the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics.
Many are calling it a pattern, accusing Vance of lacking the reverence, decorum, or even the basic understanding of papal protocol.
One online commenter slammed the gesture as “a disgusting breach of decorum,” saying it looked like a frat bro saying “later, bro.”
Observers joked that Vance might have thought he was at a family reunion rather than one of the world’s most sacred events.
“Who does he think he is?” one commenter asked. “That’s the POPE, not your drinking buddy.”
Even some conservative Catholics expressed disappointment, saying the gesture was “tone-deaf” and “painfully American.”
“This was his moment to show humility,” one Catholic commentator said. “He chose a frat tap instead.”
JD Vance is getting roasted in the court of public opinion.
So far, there’s been no official comment from the Vatican or Pope Leo’s office regarding the incident.
There’s been radio silence from Vance’s team and the administration.
He’s developed a reputation for awkward international moments, particularly when religion is involved.
Once a devout Evangelical, Vance formally converted in 2019—though some now question the depth of his understanding of Catholic culture.
That may be, but others argue he’s playing it—just badly.
One thing’s certain—when it comes to papal protocol, JD Vance just gave everyone a masterclass in what not to do.