After his audience with Pope Leo XIV, Ross Douthat confronted US Vice President JD Vance (NYTimes.com, 21 May) about the tension between the Trump administration's policies and the views of the Pope and the Vatican, especially concerning migration.
"We could probably talk all morning about this," replied Vance, switching the topic: "Let me give you a very specific instance of the tension. After the Mass — I am a Catholic, I believe that Pope Leo is actually the shepherd of 1.4 billion Catholics, and there are things like bowing before him or kissing the ring that are signs of respect for a spiritual father."
Vance then spoke about the difference between his faith and his representation of the country: "On the world stage, I’m not there as JD Vance, a Catholic parishioner. I’m there as the vice president of the United States and the leader of the president’s delegation to the pope’s inaugural Mass."
He noted that according to the protocol American presidents and vice presidents do not bow before foreign leaders and do not kiss any rings.
I find it risible that some posters on this site are simultaneously decrying that V.P. Vance didn't show proper obeisance to a man that they consider an antipope! There's no pleasing some.
Could anyone imagine Gabriel Garcia Moreno doing that? As I have said before, JD Vance is a fraud and mocks Catholicism! Any statesman who places themselves above the Holy See is clearly an antichrist and should be treated as such! Same for any government who disrespects the Holy See, for they are disrespecting the Kingship of Christ and the Spotless Bride of Christ and Her representatives!
He, like an ambassador is not there for himself. It would be incredibly inappropriate for the representative of the US federal government to do an act of fealty in public to a foreign potentate. Behind closed doors in private away from cameras, by all means give due respect to the office.
@pmfji JD Vance is a fake Catholic. And the US government mocks Catholics. So JDV's behavior is in keeping with the Zionist nature of the present US administration! God bless you!
“He noted that according to the protocol American presidents and vice presidents do not bow before foreign leaders and do not kiss any rings.“ Interestingly, this seems to clash with Rubio’s statement that the pope is “not a political figure but a spiritual one.”
The Pope is the head of a soverign nation, so the VP's interpretation of how to behave when meeting him at what was (for diplomats) a political event was correct.
@Phroggal As I posted above, would you imagine Gabriel Garcia Moreno doing that to the Holy Father? JD Vance is a fake Catholic and the US government openly mocks Catholics. JDV is simply showing the profound disrespect for the Catholic Faith that spews from this present Zionist administration! God bless you!
Be careful when accusing others of being fake catholics. Not kissing the pope’s ring is not a sign of disrespect. Instead it would be highly inappropriate for him to do so. Can you imagine the outrage from the press as they accuse Vance of using the pope as a political prop?
@Jeffrey Ade you are totally right!!! my great online friend, brother Jeffrey!! yes!! As I have said many times, I am convinced that Trump, JD Vance, and the current Republicans are nothing more than clowns using their faith as an accessory. At this point, I think we need to better understand how disgusting Trump, JD Vance, and the current Republicans are... During the Biden presidency, Trump, JD Vance, the current Republicans, and their idiot supporters criticized Biden, Harris, and the Democrats for wasting taxpayers' money by going on vacations with their families. So why aren't Trump, JD Vance, his idiot cabinet, and the Republican bureaucracy being criticized now for going on vacations with their families? Shouldn't they be criticized by the same standards? It makes me sick to my stomach every time I see JD Vance pretending to be a devout Catholic... If Trump, JD Vance, and the current Republicans are going to be true believers, they need to fully support the brave African Christian Countries (Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, etc.) who are strongly opposed to LGBT and indiscriminate abortion ideology, and all sensible Countries... They also need to lift the ban on Paul Makonda (current Tanzania Arusha District Councilor and former Dar es Salaam Governor) who has been banned from the US since Trump's first term because of his strong opposition to LGBT and indiscriminate Abortion ideology. And they need to show at least a modicum of concern for the Christian communities in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Armenia who are being oppressed and persecuted by the false Zionists! But they won't do that at all... because there's absolutely no chance that another form of evil will do the right thing. And you should definitely know what Trump did during his visit to the Middle East!! The guy who keeps talking about how we should be wary of such vicious Islamic extremists has taken a ton of money from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the leading Islamic extremist countries, and hasn't even made the basic request that they respect and protect the Christian community!! make me so angry!!! After seeing this, I am convinced that Trump, J.D. Vance, and the current Republicans are nothing but crazy clowns, and that the orthodox Catholic and Christian people are who think they are protecting the Christian community are just fools who worship a false sect... Even though we may be a very small minority, I am sure that we must go the right way and never fall into any ridiculous cult...My story was long... sorry...May the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus always grant you, your family and all your loved ones infinite graces....Holy Mary, all Angels and Saints.. pray for us... Amen.. take care.. have a great night... preparing about huge persecution!!
Maybe he didn't know that was what he was supposed to do?? Remember, he is a convert to Catholicism, and I remember seeing many converts not knowing that they should kiss the Bishop's ring when they meet him.