Vice President JD Vance refused to politicize the death of Pope Francis as he spoke with reporters on Wednesday, arguing that the pope was a “great Christian pastor.”
The vice president said he was saddened by the pope’s death as he spoke with reporters in Agra, India, acknowledging that he was one of the last people to meet with the pontiff, but saying he had no idea that Pope Francis had less than 24 hours left on earth when the two met in Rome on Sunday.
In his last Easter address, Pope Francis condemned “how much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants” and warned against leaders who “yield to the logic of fear.” The late pontiff also pushed back against President Donald Trump’s deportation plans ahead of the president’s inauguration.
“I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development,” the pope said in his final address. “These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!”
“A lot of people, especially in the American press want to make the Holy Father, his entire legacy, and even his death, about American politics,” Vance told reporters on Wednesday. “I think he was obviously a much broader figure than the United States of America, he represents over a billion Catholics worldwide.”
Vice President JD Vance and Pope Francis. (Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
“Yes,” he added, “I’m aware that he had some disagreements with some of the policies of our administration. He also had a lot of agreements with the policies of our administration. I’m not going to soil the man’s legacy by talking about politics. I think he was a great Christian pastor, and that’s how I choose to remember the Holy Father.”
Asked if he would like to see the next pope continue in Pope Francis’ tradition, he laughed and responded, “I won’t pretend to give guidance to the cardinals on who they should select as the next pope. We have plenty of issues to focus on in the United States. I’ll just say a prayer for wisdom, because I obviously want them to pick the right person. I want them to pick someone who will be good for the world’s Catholics, but I’ll let them make that decision.”
President Donald Trump announced on Monday in a Truth Social post that he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” The president will depart the United States for Rome on Friday afternoon.
His announcement came after he ordered federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis.
“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,” Trump wrote in a separate post.
He added: “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
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[[{“value”:”
Vice President JD Vance refused to politicize the death of Pope Francis as he spoke with reporters on Wednesday, arguing that the pope was a “great Christian pastor.”
The vice president said he was saddened by the pope’s death as he spoke with reporters in Agra, India, acknowledging that he was one of the last people to meet with the pontiff, but saying he had no idea that Pope Francis had less than 24 hours left on earth when the two met in Rome on Sunday.
In his last Easter address, Pope Francis condemned “how much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants” and warned against leaders who “yield to the logic of fear.” The late pontiff also pushed back against President Donald Trump’s deportation plans ahead of the president’s inauguration.
“I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development,” the pope said in his final address. “These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!”
“A lot of people, especially in the American press want to make the Holy Father, his entire legacy, and even his death, about American politics,” Vance told reporters on Wednesday. “I think he was obviously a much broader figure than the United States of America, he represents over a billion Catholics worldwide.”
Vice President JD Vance and Pope Francis. (Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
“Yes,” he added, “I’m aware that he had some disagreements with some of the policies of our administration. He also had a lot of agreements with the policies of our administration. I’m not going to soil the man’s legacy by talking about politics. I think he was a great Christian pastor, and that’s how I choose to remember the Holy Father.”
Asked if he would like to see the next pope continue in Pope Francis’ tradition, he laughed and responded, “I won’t pretend to give guidance to the cardinals on who they should select as the next pope. We have plenty of issues to focus on in the United States. I’ll just say a prayer for wisdom, because I obviously want them to pick the right person. I want them to pick someone who will be good for the world’s Catholics, but I’ll let them make that decision.”
President Donald Trump announced on Monday in a Truth Social post that he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” The president will depart the United States for Rome on Friday afternoon.
His announcement came after he ordered federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis.
“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,” Trump wrote in a separate post.
He added: “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
“}]]
