JD Vance slammed for Pope Leo gesture that broke protocol
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has faced backlash for breaking Vatican protocol during a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected and first American-born pope. Just weeks earlier, Vance had already stirred controversy by taking a photo inside the Sistine Chapel, where photography is banned.
During the May 18 meeting with the pope, Vance was seen casually patting Pope Leo on the elbow—a gesture seen as disrespectful and out of line with Vatican etiquette. Proper conduct includes conservative dress, speaking only when spoken to, and avoiding unnecessary physical contact. Social media users slammed the gesture as “cringey” and disrespectful. Some noted the pope’s seemingly uncomfortable reaction after the encounter. Critics called Vance’s behavior unrefined, with one referring to him as a “hillbilly.”
The tension follows previous disagreements between Vance and the pope over immigration. Despite this, Vance recently told Fox News he wants to keep faith above politics and won’t “play the politicization of the pope game.” Vance had been in Rome with his wife and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for peace talks. His actions have reignited debate over the proper role of faith, politics, and respect in public life.
