Vance Says Pope Should Be Careful With Words After Iran Critique

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, pushed back on Pope Leo XIV’s criticism of the war on Iran, saying the pontiff’s remarks were not based in theological truth and that he should be “careful” with his words on the matter.

Vance on Tuesday said he admired the pope and did not mind Leo weighing in on current events, but took issue with his stance on the Middle East conflict. The pope in a social-media post last week said God does not bless any conflict, adding “Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”