VP Vance, who Pope Leo XIV previously criticized, to attend pope's first mass in Vatican City
WASHINGTON ― Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV this Sunday, May 18 in the Vatican City, the White House said.
The two men, who will lead a larger U.S. delegation to attend the first American's pope's first mass, will be joined by their wives, second lady Usha Vance and Jeannette Rubio.
Vance, the first converted Catholic to serve as vice president, met with the late Pope Francis on April 20, less than 24 hours before the pope died following a weeks-long battle with double pneumonia and other health issues.
More: Before he was elected pope, Leo XIV was critical of Trump, Vance on social media
Prior to becoming pope on May 8, Leo ‒ then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago ‒ promoted several opinion articles on social media, some as recently as April, critical of Vance's interpretation of Scripture and immigration. "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," one headline posted Feb. 3 reads.
More: Will Donald Trump get along with another pope who opposes his 'anti-immigrant' rhetoric?
On April 14, Leo retweeted criticism of Trump and President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele's response to the the Trump administration's controversial deportation of El Salvadorian national Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a resident of Maryland. A decade earlier, Leo shared a 2015 column on X, then Twitter, written by a fellow cardinal with the headline "Why Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic."
The White House has brushed off Leo's social media commentary. "I think it was a surprise to everyone," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said of Leo's past social media posts. "But it's a great thing for the United States of America and for the world," she said of the first U.S.-born pope, "and we are praying for him."
More: Pope Leo XIV makes 1st social media post as pontiff, deletes personal accounts
Leo this week wiped his personal social media accounts and made his first official post as pontiff.
"Peace be with you all!" Leo wrote in his first post on X. "This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world."
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: VP JD Vance, Rubio to attend inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV
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