“Cringey,” “disrespectful,” and “hillbilly” — social media erupts over VP’s controversial gesture
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is once again under fire — this time for a protocol-breaking moment with Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, during a high-profile meeting in Rome.
Fresh off the heels of violating Vatican photography rules inside the Sistine Chapel, Vance’s latest misstep came during a formal greeting with Pope Leo on Sunday, May 18, just after the pontiff’s inaugural Mass.
JD Vance and Pope Leo. Credit / Getty Images
🤝 The Moment That Sparked a Firestorm
According to long-standing Vatican protocol, guests meeting the Pope are expected to:
- Wait for an introduction
- Address him as “Your Holiness”
- Speak only when spoken to
- Avoid physical contact beyond a handshake (unless initiated by the Pope)
But Vance broke with decorum when he reached out and patted the Pope’s elbow, a gesture that might seem harmless in casual American settings — but inside St. Peter’s Basilica, it’s seen as a significant breach of sacred tradition.
📱 Online Backlash Was Swift and Brutal
Critics across social media slammed the Ohio senator-turned-VP:
“Did the Pope shudder after Vance left?”
“That casual grabbing of the Pope’s arm like they’re bros was cringey.”
“No class, no manners. Just a hillbilly move.”
The backlash deepened as video clips and photos circulated showing Pope Leo appearing visibly uncomfortable following the elbow tap. Some even claimed the Pope’s expression was one of disgust after Vance walked away.
🕊️ A Strained Relationship
This isn’t Vance’s first tension point with the Vatican. Earlier in the year, he drew criticism after using Christianity to justify mass deportations, saying, “Love your fellow citizens… and then the rest of the world.”
At the time, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) posted:
“Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Although the account was later deleted, The New York Times reported it was linked to Prevost, suggesting lingering discomfort between the two men.
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🛑 “Let the Church Be Bigger Than Politics”
When questioned recently, Vance dismissed the controversy by calling for a non-political approach to faith:
“I think it would be better for all of us if we allowed the Church to be about the saving of souls and didn’t try to fit it into a pre-ordained political box.”
Still, critics say that gestures matter — especially when standing before the leader of 1.3 billion Catholics.
🕯️ So What Now?
While the Vatican has made no formal complaint, the meeting has sparked renewed calls for politicians to respect religious traditions — especially on sacred ground.
Do you believe JD Vance’s gesture was inappropriate or blown out of proportion? Should politicians be held to stricter standards of diplomacy during papal visits?
👉 Share your thoughts and spread this story to hear what others think. The Vatican might be silent, but the world is watching.
