Yes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, leading the U.S. delegation. The “previously criticized” context refers to posts shared before Leo’s election by an account associated with Robert Prevost—not a direct statement by Leo at the Mass. Reporting on the homily does not establish that it was aimed at Vance.
Did JD Vance attend Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass?
He did. A May 15 advisory from the Vice President’s Press Office said Vance would lead the U.S. delegation to the Mass on Sunday, May 18. The delegation included Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Jeanette Rubio. The official advisory described the planned visit; Vatican News later confirmed Vance and Rubio represented the United States at the ceremony.
The Mass took place in St. Peter’s Square. Vance’s attendance as head of the delegation was a public diplomatic appearance at the new pope’s inauguration.
What does “previously criticized” refer to?
Before the conclave, an account associated with Robert Prevost shared criticism of Vance’s comments about ordo amoris, a Latin phrase commonly translated as “order of love.” The posts predated Prevost’s election as pope on May 8, 2025.
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The posts and Vance’s remarks
The Associated Press reported that Vance discussed ordo amoris in a Fox News interview on January 30. On February 3, the account associated with Prevost shared a National Catholic Reporter article titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” That wording is the article’s headline, not a verified direct quotation from Leo. The AP report describes the account’s sharing of criticism; it does not establish that Leo personally wrote the linked article or spoke those words.
Did Pope Leo call out Vance in the homily?
The available account of the May 18 homily does not show that it was a direct rebuke of Vance. The Associated Press described its main themes as love and unity, alongside warnings about discord, hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of difference, and economic marginalization. Those themes can be read as broad religious and social concerns, but they do not by themselves establish a message directed at one guest.
Leo said: “I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” The AP’s report on the inaugural homily places that appeal in the context of the ceremony’s message of unity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened after the Mass?
On May 19, Leo met with Vance and Rubio at the Vatican. The Holy See Press Office described the talks as cordial and said they covered collaboration between the Church and the U.S. government, religious freedom, and current international issues. Vatican News’ account of the meeting reports the Holy See’s description of the discussion.
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The meeting the next day is a separate event from the Mass. The Vatican’s description characterizes the formal talks, not every interaction between the participants during the inaugural ceremony.
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