Vance ‘grateful’ to Pope Leo for downplaying Trump rift, says media 'gins up conflict'

Leo addressed the issue Saturday while speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane during a trip from Cameroon to Angola as part of an 11-day tour of Africa.

“There’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about myself,” Leo said. “Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.”

President Trump had criticized the pope on April 12 following remarks Leo made about ongoing global conflicts. However, the pope said his reference to a “handful of tyrants” causing destruction around the world had been written weeks earlier, prior to Trump’s criticism.

“And yet as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all,” Leo added.

Vance, a practicing Catholic, responded to the pope’s remarks in a post on X, expressing appreciation for the clarification by saying, “I am grateful to Pope Leo for saying this. While the media narrative constantly gins up conflict–and yes, real disagreements have happened and will happen–the reality is often much more complicated.”

“Pope Leo preaches the gospel, as he should, and that will inevitably mean he offers his opinions on the moral issues of the day. The President–and the entire administration–work to apply those moral principles in a messy world,” he added. “He will be in our prayers, and I hope that we'll be in his.”