• Pope Leo XIV snubs JD Vance by offering only a quick handshake while meeting privately with other world leaders after his inaugural mass.
• The pope’s sermon criticized policies tied to hate, greed, and the mistreatment of migrants, echoing past criticism of Vance’s immigration stance, which many see as part of the Pope Leo XIV snubs.
• Vance avoided direct response but continued efforts to improve ties with Catholic leadership following past tensions with Pope Francis. Despite these efforts, the Pope Leo XIV snubs continued to stand out.

Pope Leo gives JD Vance a cold reception after inaugural mass

Pope Leo XIV made headlines on Sunday when he gave JD Vance only a quick handshake after his inaugural mass. Vance stood in the procession line and received just a 17-second greeting from the new pope. Meanwhile, Pope Leo spent time in private meetings with other major world leaders. He spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. Leaders from Germany, Italy, Canada, and the European Union also attended the mass. But Vance received no private audience. The difference in treatment raised questions about how the pope views Vance and his political background, especially in light of the Pope Leo XIV snubs.

Pope focuses attention on global leaders, not Vance

While Vance and U.S. officials watched from the sidelines, Pope Leo prioritized other leaders. He met Zelensky and Boluarte just hours after the ceremony. These meetings followed a powerful sermon that seemed to send a message. Pope Leo spoke against hate, fear, and greed. He said the world still suffers from violence, prejudice, and environmental destruction. His words touched on the suffering of the poor and the dangers of exploiting Earth’s resources. Many saw this as a clear statement about global inequality and injustice. The timing of the sermon and the snubPope Leo XIV snubs raised eyebrows.

Vance linked to harsh immigration policies under Trump

Pope Leo’s sermon may have aimed at more than just global issues. It seemed to criticize policies Vance once supported. During his time as vice president, Vance backed strict immigration laws under Donald Trump. These laws led to many deportations and family separations. The Trump administration even considered taking over land in places like Greenland. Pope Leo’s comments about exploiting foreign resources matched those past moves. The pope didn’t name names, but the message came through.

White House stays silent as questions grow

The White House gave no comment after the short greeting. Reporters asked if Vance requested a full meeting with the pope. Officials offered no answers. On the same day, Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had plans to meet with Zelensky and other European leaders. But the missed chance for a real conversation with Pope Leo stood out. The lack of access seemed even more pointed after the pope’s past actions.

Pope Leo’s social media history shows clear views on Vance

Before becoming pope, Robert Prevost made his opinions known. He shared articles on social media that criticized Vance. One op-ed from the National Catholic Reporter carried the headline “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” Prevost also shared stories about migrants deported to El Salvador. Those stories showed the danger and suffering many families face after U.S. immigration crackdowns. These posts showed a clear pattern. He didn’t support the way Vance and the Trump administration handled immigration.

Vance tries to avoid taking sides in public statements

Vance hasn’t tried to fight the pope’s message directly. In an earlier interview with Hugh Hewitt, he downplayed the tension. “I try not to play the politicization of the pope game,” he said. He avoided direct answers and refused to respond to the criticism. But his record speaks for itself. He supported many Trump-era policies that Pope Francis and now Pope Leo clearly opposed.

Francis also called out immigration policies before his death

This isn’t the first time a pope called out JD Vance. Back in February, Pope Francis spoke out against the U.S. immigration crackdown. He wrote a letter to Catholic bishops that strongly condemned deportations. Francis said deporting people fleeing poverty, danger, and climate destruction strips them of dignity. He described it as a serious moral failure. Vance defended the crackdown based on religious values, but Francis pushed back hard.

Vance met Pope Francis briefly before he passed away

On April 20, Vance did get a short private meeting with Pope Francis. They spoke for a few minutes at the Vatican. Francis gave him gifts during the visit. But the next day, Pope Francis died. The meeting, while respectful, didn’t suggest strong ties between them. Since then, Vance has tried to improve his image among Catholic leaders.

Vance honors Pope Francis but faces new challenges with Pope Leo

Vance visited Pope Francis’ tomb the day before Pope Leo’s mass. He posted about it on social media, saying he prayed for the pope’s soul. “He was beloved by many Catholics around the world,” Vance wrote. But kind words for the late pope don’t seem to have helped his relationship with the new one. Pope Leo made it clear that his focus lies elsewhere. He seeks leaders who support peace, equality, and compassion for the poor.

Pope Leo signals a new direction that excludes Vance

The message from Pope Leo XIV came through loud and clear. He welcomed world leaders who support justice, not those tied to fear-based politics. His sermon pushed for kindness toward migrants and protection of the Earth. His actions backed his words. JD Vance, once at the center of U.S. power, received only a quick handshake. The pope’s choice signals a new path—one that may not include Vance at all.