'Reality is often much more complicated': Vance plays down Trump-Pope tensions

Vice President JD Vance expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV on Friday, saying the "reality is often much more complicated" than media portrayals of a feud between the pontiff and President Donald Trump.In a post on X, Vance said: "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."He added that the Pope's role is distinct from political leadership. "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," Vance said.Pope downplays feud, says 'not in my interest' to debate TrumpSpeaking to journalists aboard the papal flight to Angola on Saturday, Pope Leo sought to downplay the feud, saying reporting about his recent comments "has not been accurate in all its aspects."The pontiff noted that his speech at a prayer meeting for peace, in which he said the world was being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants", was prepared two weeks before Trump's attacks.

"As it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate the president, which is not in my interest at all," Leo said.He reiterated his focus on peace, adding: "I am not afraid of the Trump administration."Trump cites Iran, Pope says 'I am not a politician'The exchange follows a series of sharp remarks from Trump on Iran and nuclear policy. Trump has insisted that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, stating, "I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," and warning that such a development would put "the whole world" at risk.He had also criticised the Pope directly: "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable."Earlier, responding to the criticism, Pope Leo said: "I think that the people who read will be able to draw their own conclusions. I am not a politician. I have no intention of entering into a debate with Donald Trump."He reiterated his focus on peace, adding: "Rather, let us always seek peace and put an end to wars. I am not afraid of the Trump administration."The Pope has also cautioned against the misuse of religion for political or military purposes, saying: "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth."Vance caught in the middleThis entire tirade has placed Vance in an excruciating position, he has nevertheless wheeled out to defend the president's criticism."I certainly think it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality," Vance said previously, "and let the President of the United States stick to defending American public policy."He then dug deeper, opining that "it's very, very important for the Pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology", a remarkable statement from a politician who has built his public persona around his Catholic faith.Trump has not yet responded to Vance's latest expression of gratitude toward the Pope. The vice president concluded his post with a gesture of goodwill: "He will be in our prayers, and I hope that we'll be in his."