Critics Falsely Accuse Vance Of ‘Embarrassing Gaffe’ In The Sistine Chapel

Critics of JD Vance falsely accused the vice president of committing a faux pas while visiting the Vatican, claiming that Vance’s team did not have permission to take photos in the Sistine Chapel.

But a source familiar with Vance’s travel team told The Daily Wire that the Vatican gave the vice president’s official photographer permission to take pictures in the Chapel, where visitors are typically forbidden to take photos of Michelangelo’s frescoes — including The Creation of Adam” — considered some of the most important pieces of Renaissance art.

Vigilant guards in the Sistine Chapel may take tourists’ phones or cameras and delete photos if an unlucky photographer is caught snapping photos.

Critics of the vice president were quick to assume that his team did not have permission to take photos inside the Sistine Chapel.

“JD Vance Ripped for Embarrassing Gaffe During Vatican Visit,” The Daily Beast headlined their story on the topic, calling the incident a “cardinal sin,” and adding the subhead: “A White House publicity stunt revealed the vice president’s glaring faux pas.”

Several tabloids chimed in on the topic as well. People Magazine questioned, “Photo of J.D. Vance Inside Sistine Chapel Sparks Backlash. Did He Break Vatican Protocol?” And the Daily Mail posted: “JD Vance sparks fury by breaking Vatican protocol.”

The offending photo depicts Vance gazing up at the renowned frescoes as he holds his young son.

Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk shared the image on Easter Sunday, calling it “An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel.” The image quickly went viral, drawing the attention of those familiar with the Sistine Chapel’s rules for tourists.

Kirk’s spokesman, Andrew Kolvet, noted that former First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to the Vatican was also photographed, hitting back at commenters on “X” who claimed that the photos were not allowed.

“Not only did the Vatican explicitly grant permission for the VP’s team to photograph their visit, the Vatican itself released video of their tour,” Kolvet wrote. “They did the same for other official state visits including Michelle Obama’s visit in 2009.”

Bill and Hillary Clinton also visited the Sistine Chapel and were photographed admiring the frescoes, as did former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Vance’s visit to the Vatican came during his three-day Holy Week visit to Italy, during which he attended a Good Friday Service at St. Peter’s Basilica and Easter Sunday mass at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The pope died the day after his meeting with the vice president.

“When I saw him, I didn’t know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth,” Vance told reporters in Agra, India, on Wednesday morning. “I think it was a great blessing.”

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Critics of JD Vance falsely accused the vice president of committing a faux pas while visiting the Vatican, claiming that Vance’s team did not have permission to take photos in the Sistine Chapel.

But a source familiar with Vance’s travel team told The Daily Wire that the Vatican gave the vice president’s official photographer permission to take pictures in the Chapel, where visitors are typically forbidden to take photos of Michelangelo’s frescoes — including The Creation of Adam” — considered some of the most important pieces of Renaissance art.

Vigilant guards in the Sistine Chapel may take tourists’ phones or cameras and delete photos if an unlucky photographer is caught snapping photos.

Critics of the vice president were quick to assume that his team did not have permission to take photos inside the Sistine Chapel.

“JD Vance Ripped for Embarrassing Gaffe During Vatican Visit,” The Daily Beast headlined their story on the topic, calling the incident a “cardinal sin,” and adding the subhead: “A White House publicity stunt revealed the vice president’s glaring faux pas.”

Several tabloids chimed in on the topic as well. People Magazine questioned, “Photo of J.D. Vance Inside Sistine Chapel Sparks Backlash. Did He Break Vatican Protocol?” And the Daily Mail posted: “JD Vance sparks fury by breaking Vatican protocol.”

The offending photo depicts Vance gazing up at the renowned frescoes as he holds his young son.

Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk shared the image on Easter Sunday, calling it “An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel.” The image quickly went viral, drawing the attention of those familiar with the Sistine Chapel’s rules for tourists.

Kirk’s spokesman, Andrew Kolvet, noted that former First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to the Vatican was also photographed, hitting back at commenters on “X” who claimed that the photos were not allowed.

“Not only did the Vatican explicitly grant permission for the VP’s team to photograph their visit, the Vatican itself released video of their tour,” Kolvet wrote. “They did the same for other official state visits including Michelle Obama’s visit in 2009.”

Bill and Hillary Clinton also visited the Sistine Chapel and were photographed admiring the frescoes, as did former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Vance’s visit to the Vatican came during his three-day Holy Week visit to Italy, during which he attended a Good Friday Service at St. Peter’s Basilica and Easter Sunday mass at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The pope died the day after his meeting with the vice president.

“When I saw him, I didn’t know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth,” Vance told reporters in Agra, India, on Wednesday morning. “I think it was a great blessing.”

“}]]