• The new pope was crowned on Thursday
  • He has previously made comment about Vice-President JD Vance
  • This comes as the politician was one of the last to see Pope Francis alive
The new pope is here
The new pope is named Leo XIV Credit: IMAGO

The new pope might have only been in the job for less than a day but he already has a potential beef with US Vice President JD Vance.

Robert Prevost, who originally hails from Chicago, was voted to become the new pope with at least a two-third majority of the 133 cardinals. They had all descended onto Vatican City for the conclave.

After taking the papal name of Pope Leo XIV, it emerged that he had already taken aim at the politician. Most of the criticism centred around Vance’s cruel anti-migrant policies. These include his support for putting kids in cages and separating them from their families.

The author-turned-political figure converted to Catholicism as an adult.

Read more: Did the Soprano star sibling help vote in new pope?

In Feburary, the new pope wrote on X, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

Earlier, he expressed his discontent and disgust with many of the right-wing policies pursued by the first Trump government between 2017 and 2020.

One post read, “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”

Another asked how President Donald Trump and his administration could “see all the suffering” stemming from the policies?

Before the new pope, Vice President JD Vance meets with the Pope
Vice President JD Vance meets with the Pope Credit: Imago

How did we get a new pope?

Well, a new pope is typically selected when the previous pope passes. This tradition was followed upon the death of Pope Francis aged 88 on Easter Monday.

Prior to his death, one of the last things he did was carry out an engagement with Vance.

Vance told the pope, “I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health. Thank you for seeing me.”

Read more: Pope Francis dead at 88 after meeting JD Vance

The other was to condemn the ongoing genocide in Palestine during his Easter address.

“I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development.” the late pontiff told the crowd. “These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!