The passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, marked the end of an era of compassion, reform, and outspoken moral leadership. As world leaders prepared to pay their respects at his funeral, one individual’s actions raised significant controversy: U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Before the Pope’s heartbreaking death, JD Vance visited Vatican City with his family. The visit, which took place on April 20, saw Vance meeting with the Pope in what was supposed to be a symbolic and respectful encounter. However, what followed was an incident that sparked outrage among many observers, who accused Vance of disrespecting the sacred traditions of the Vatican and disregarding rules about decorum in religious spaces.
JD Vance and Pope Francis. Credit / Getty Images
JD Vance’s Visit to Vatican City
As part of his official trip, JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, met with Pope Francis on April 20, 2025, a day before the Pope’s death. Vance’s meeting was intended to be a brief and respectful exchange, as was customary with world leaders visiting the Vatican. The Vice President, who reportedly prayed for the Pope daily, greeted him warmly.
During their meeting, Vance was presented with three large Easter eggs for his children, a gesture of kindness from the Pope. Along with the Easter gifts, Vance also received a Vatican tie and rosaries, which were part of the traditional gifts exchanged during such meetings. Vance, in return, offered his well wishes to the Pope, acknowledging his illness and hoping for his recovery.
However, it was not the meeting with Pope Francis that caused the stir — it was an incident that occurred earlier, during Vance’s family visit to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
The Controversial Photo Inside the Sistine Chapel
On April 19, 2025, before his meeting with Pope Francis, Vance and his family toured Vatican City’s religious landmarks, including the world-famous Sistine Chapel. During the tour, a photo of Vance holding his son under the Michelangelo-painted canopy of the Sistine Chapel was shared widely. The image, which was intended to be a family moment, quickly ignited a firestorm of backlash.
The controversy stemmed from the strict no-photography policy enforced by the Vatican, especially within the Sistine Chapel. It is well-known that visitors to the chapel are prohibited from taking photographs or filming, as stated by the Vatican Museums. The museum explicitly prohibits the use of electronic equipment in the chapel, even for personal or domestic use. Flash photography, in particular, is strictly forbidden.
This rule is one of the most sacred traditions in the Vatican, as it helps preserve the integrity of the historic art and cultural heritage within the chapel. Yet, despite this, the photograph of Vance and his son appeared on social media, leading to outraged reactions from the public. Critics argued that the Vice President’s family had shown disrespect for the Vatican’s sacred customs by disregarding this important rule.
The day before his heartbreaking death, Pope Francis welcome JD Vance into his Vatican City home. But in the hours leading up to the historic meeting, the vice president, one of the last visitors to sit with the pontiff, had allegedly broken a cardinal rule, leaving people outraged.
On April 21, the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, one of the most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, marking the end of an era defined by compassion, reform, and bold moral declarations.
But true to his legacy of unflinching candor, his final days were not without controversy.
According to People, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was in Vatican City with his family for the weekend, was reportedly snubbed by the pope on Saturday, leaving him to meet Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Parolin “discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trump’s commitment to restoring world peace,” reports the office of the VP.
But according to the Vatican News, the Holy See’s media outlet, the two had “an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners.”
Brief meeting with Pope Francis
Before greeting thousands of worshippers at his final Easter Sunday service at St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff, who earlier blasted the Trump administration’s deportation plans, had a brief meeting with Vance that “lasted a few minutes and offered an opportunity to exchange Easter greetings,” the Vatican News explains.
Newsweek reports that Vance was given three large chocolate Easter eggs – one for each of his children – a Vatican tie, and rosaries.
He reportedly told the pope, “I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health. Thank you for seeing me. I pray for you every day. God bless you.”
Afterwards, the VP shared a tweet alongside several photos of him sitting with the pope on April 20: “Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am grateful for his invitation to meet, and I pray for his good health. Happy Easter!”
The Public Outrage and Backlash
The response from the public was swift and intense. Social media users and Catholic groups voiced their anger, pointing out that photography was strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel. Many were shocked that JD Vance, a public figure, had allegedly disregarded the rules of the Vatican.
One user wrote, “To take pictures in the Sistine Chapel is strictly forbidden! Every true Catholic knows this. This picture shows what’s wrong: Rules are only to be followed by others but not the American government.”
Others were equally upset, saying, “Not allowed to take photos in the Sistine Chapel. Even in something so basic, they think the rules don’t apply to them.” It was clear that this breach of tradition was more than just a matter of disrespect; for many, it symbolized a larger disregard for international customs.
However, some defenders of Vance pointed out that the Vatican may have granted special permission for photography during the official visit. They noted that past state visits, including those by figures like Michelle Obama, had also involved photographs taken inside the chapel. These defenders argued that the photograph was likely a special exception, permitted by the Vatican itself.
Despite these defenses, the controversy remained. Whether or not official permission was granted, the damage had been done. The incident highlighted the tensions between political figures, tradition, and the perception of disrespect.
JD Vance’s Response and Pope Francis’ Passing
Following the backlash, JD Vance attempted to address the controversy. After Pope Francis passed away, the Vice President expressed his heartfelt condolences on social media. He shared a message stating, “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
While Vance’s message seemed to be a sincere attempt to honor the late Pope, it did little to quell the anger surrounding his actions just days before. The incident raised important questions about how public figures should conduct themselves in sacred spaces and about the responsibility they hold when representing their countries abroad.
The Bigger Picture: Respect and Protocol
The controversy surrounding JD Vance’s actions serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting local customs and protocols when visiting significant religious or cultural landmarks. For public figures, the stakes are even higher — their actions are under constant scrutiny, and every gesture, no matter how small, can be magnified.
In this case, the incident in the Sistine Chapel may have been a simple mistake, but it sparked outrage because of the sacred nature of the place and the perception that the rules did not apply to a high-profile visitor. It’s a reminder that, no matter the setting, respect for tradition and customs should always take precedence.
Conclusion: Navigating International Diplomacy and Respect
As Vice President JD Vance continues to serve in his role, the controversy surrounding his visit to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel will likely linger. It serves as a cautionary tale for all public officials and political leaders, emphasizing the need for respect, protocol, and adherence to local customs — especially when engaging in diplomatic visits to religious landmarks. The events surrounding Pope Francis’ death will be remembered not only for the loss of a beloved leader but also for the lessons in cultural awareness and global diplomacy.
For further insights into health and well-being, check out the following articles:
