Catholic Vice President Jd Vance Acknowledges Pope Francis' Criticism Of Us Immigration Crackdown

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, without responding to any of its specifics or to the pontiff's apparent criticism of Vance's own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies.

Vance, a Catholic convert , spoke Friday at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington. He sought to downplay the controversy and said he and his family pray daily for Pope Francis during the 88-year-old pontiff's hospitalization for pneumonia and other health troubles.

Vance told the gathering he wasn't there to litigate "about who's right and who's wrong," though he said he would continue to defend his views. But he spoke in conciliatory terms, crediting Francis as one who "cares about the flock of Christians under his under his leadership and the spiritual direction of the faith."

Vance, who led the gathering in a prayer for Francis' health, asserted that religious leaders shouldn't be treated as social-media influencers subject to constant debate.

Francis issued a major rebuke earlier in February to the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations, warning that it would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. Francis also apparently responded to Vance directly.