Vice President JD Vance's comments on Pope Leo XIV's choice of name did not land as intended on Tuesday, drawing widespread criticism on social media for their perceived irony.
Vance's Remarks on Papal Name
Speaking at a White House briefing about the potential influence of the pope's upcoming encyclical on artificial intelligence, Vance highlighted the significance of Robert Francis Prevost, the first U.S.-born head of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name Leo XIV. 'One of the things I always found fascinating about Pope Leo is that he chose the name Leo XIV, which of course is recollecting Leo XIII,' Vance said, noting that Leo XIII, pope from 1878 to 1903, led during 'a period of incredible industrial transformation in the entire world.'
'Of course, that industrial transformation, according to a lot of people, led to the rise of fascism and communism in Europe,' Vance added, suggesting that the current pope, who has criticized the Trump administration over its Iran war and anti-immigration crackdown, 'chose that name to maybe apply Christian social teaching in a new era with a new technological innovation in the same way that the industrial revolution was the technological innovation of its time.'
Social Media Backlash
Critics on social media quickly pointed out the irony of Vance linking social upheaval to authoritarianism, given that Donald Trump and his MAGA allies are often accused of fostering fascism. 'Didn't make the point he thinks he made,' one user wrote. 'So, so close to getting it,' another added. A third asked: 'He doesn't see the irony, does he?'
'Read the room JD. It's about the rise of fascism right here,' a fourth wrote. 'So Cardinal Prevost recognized the dangers looming on the horizon and chose a papal name to harken back to a previous pope who fought those same dangers? What an awesome pope we have!' said a fifth.
Some users directly questioned Vance's awareness. 'Every time Vance opens his mouth, he inserts a foot,' one comment read. 'Is JD Vance saying that Trump is leading us further into fascism?' another asked. 'Is he actually evil??? ' wrote tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Pope Leo XIII actively opposed communism and nihilism, viewing them as destructive ideologies, and defended workers' rights. Many noted that Vance's historical parallel missed the mark, as the former pope fought against the very ideologies Vance mentioned.
