Vice President JD Vance Attends Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass With Wife Usha Vance – Video
The Vice President and his wife appeared grateful to witness the inaugural Mass, sharing a sweet moment during the service.
Vice President JD Vance’s encounter with Pope Leo XIV during the new pontiff’s inaugural Mass has sparked a flurry of online reactions. While the brief meeting seemed cordial on the surface, viewers were quick to pick apart everything from body language to what they saw as a lack of reverence.
A fan’s comment on body language as JD Vance, Usha Vance, and Pope Leo XIV meet, from a post dated May 18, 2025 | Source: X/EleanorAquitai5
Vance and his wife were among the political and religious leaders who attended the historic Mass in Vatican City, marking the beginning of Pope Leo’s papacy, marking a historic moment as the first time an American has taken on this significant role. Despite the pontiff’s past criticism of the Trump administration, the couple took part in the ceremony, which drew international attention.
Pope Leo XIV meets with Usha Vance and JD Vance at the end of the Inauguration Mass In St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Vatican, on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
After the Mass, the 69-year-old pope offered a quick greeting to the Vice President and his wife. In a brief 17-second exchange, the two sides shook hands and exchanged a few words. A video clip captured the moment, showing Pope Leo nodding politely as Vance spoke.
Pope Leo XIV meets with JD Vance at the end of the Inauguration Mass In St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
What might have seemed like a standard diplomatic gesture became a hot topic online. Viewers took issue with how the meeting ended when Vance gave the pope a friendly pat on the shoulder, a gesture many found far too casual for the successor of the late Pope Francis.
Social media users scrutinized everything from Vance’s approach to what they perceived as a cool reaction from the pope, and even the limited interaction with Mrs. Vance. One viewer bluntly stated, “Very disrespectful @JDVance.” Another added, “JD needs some help in his faith. The Pope is not his business associate. Good grief.”
Pope Leo XIV meets with JD Vance at the end of the Inauguration Mass In St. Peter’s Square, on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
There was also an analysis of the moment, with one commenter noting, “JD seemed a bit conflicted, one could tell. He didn’t know if he was to do this like he was the boss or like where the pope was the boss. Clearly awkward. Notice the shrug of the shoulders by the pope after JD passes on [sic].”
Pope Leo XIV holds a private audience with JD Vance at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Vatican, on May 19, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Another viewer took issue with the informality, observing, “He taps him on his shoulder like his buddy, not like the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ on earth. Please pray our Church returns to some remembrance of the importance of hierarchy.”
Pope Leo XIV holds a mass during the formal inauguration of his pontificate in Vatican City, Vatican, on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Some people focused on the pontiff’s demeanor, writing, “The body language by the pope was a bit cold there. Ouch?” Another perspective pointed out, “It looked like the pope disregarded Mrs. Vance. Shaking hands and looking elsewhere. Nope. Not feeling it.”
JD Vance and Usha Vance attend a Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, in St Peter’s square in The Vatican on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
A closer examination from viewers included, “Body language is everything. Our VP was warm in greeting him. He shrugs heavily when he and SLOTUS turn to leave. How telling and disrespectful. He’s not fooling anyone. Certainly not me.” To sum it up harshly, one user concluded, “Wow the pope was so ungracious.”
Pope Leo XIV holds a mass during the formal inauguration of his pontificate in Vatican City, Vatican, on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Amidst the online chatter surrounding his brief interaction with Pope Leo XIV, Vance has shown no signs of discomfort. He posted a photo of himself and his wife, Usha, at the Mass and expressed, “It was an honor to join so many of the faithful at the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV this morning!”
Another moment captured during the event showed the couple sharing a kiss during the Holy Mass, reflecting how at ease they seemed throughout the occasion.
JD Vance kisses his wife Usha Vance as they attend a Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, in St Peter’s square in The Vatican on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
During their trip, Vance and Usha also paid their respects to the late Pope Francis. Sharing the moment online, Vance wrote, “Today, Usha and I visited the tomb of the late Holy Father Pope Francis. He was beloved by many Catholics around the world, and I hope you will join me in praying for the repose of his soul.”
Later, Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. “This afternoon, Secretary Rubio and I met with President Zelensky. Our countries share the goal of ending unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine, and we discussed updates on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace,” he shared.
Both JD Vance and Pope Leo seem to share a strong commitment to peace, a theme resonating throughout the pontiff’s inaugural Mass. The pope used the occasion to urge unity and compassion as global tensions and humanitarian crises continue to unfold, addressing division, hatred, and inequality.
Pope Leo XIV delivers the Regina Caeli prayer in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, on May 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
In a world scarred by violence, prejudice, and economic systems exploiting both the Earth and its most vulnerable, he emphasized the need for healing.
Pope Leo XIV holds a baby as he arrives ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
He encouraged people of all backgrounds, from Christians to those of other faiths and the spiritually curious, to walk a shared path of reconciliation and hope.
Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The pope called for openness and solidarity over isolation and moral superiority, emphasizing the importance of building bridges across different cultures, histories, and beliefs, offering God’s love as a force that unites and celebrates diversity rather than erasing it.
Pope Leo XIV leads an audience to representatives of the media, at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican, on May 12, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Previously known as Father Robert Prevost, Pope Leo has always spoken out against injustices, having previously criticized Donald Trump and Vance even before assuming the papacy.
Pope Leo XIV attends Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, on April 13, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The pontiff has especially been vocal about the Trump administration’s immigration policies, condemning its approach as lacking compassion and moral responsibility.
After his election, some old tweets resurfaced, revealing his sharp criticisms towards US political figures, notably Vance.
Pope Leo waving from the balcony of the Vatican in Vatican City on May 8, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
One deleted tweet read, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” and linked to an article from the National Catholic Reporter. Another criticized Vance’s religious interpretation in the context of immigration.
Pope Leo’s stance on immigration included insights from his brother, John Prevost, who spoke about the pope’s private convictions.
“I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say,” John Prevost noted. “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”
Pope Leo XIV appears on the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Furthermore, in his first Sunday noon blessing, on May 11, Pope Leo delivered a direct appeal to the world’s most powerful nations, calling for peace in war-torn regions and justice for the oppressed.
Cardinals gather in Vatican City as Pope Leo XIV appears for the first time on the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The address, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, marked the new pontiff’s first public message since assuming the papacy and drew nearly 100,000 faithful to Vatican City. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,’” Pope Leo declared, his voice echoing across the packed square.
Focusing on two of the globe’s most volatile conflicts: Ukraine and Gaza, he echoed Pope Francis’s description of today’s world caught in a “third world war in pieces.”
“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” Pope Leo said. “Whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic true and lasting peace as quickly as possible.”
He urged for the release of prisoners of war and the safe return of Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict. Praise was given to a ceasefire recently reached between India and Pakistan — a rare point of optimism in a speech that highlighted ongoing global unrest.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost | Source: Getty Images
Turning to the Middle East, Pope Leo called for a halt to the violence in Gaza. He urged for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid for civilians, release of all hostages, and relief to the exhausted population.
Sunday’s appearance was rich in symbolism. From gestures on the balcony to invoking unity in a fractured Catholic Church, Pope Leo intended to position his papacy as one of reconciliation and bold truth-telling.
