JD Vance fact-checked by esteemed priest
Jesuit priest Father James Martin criticized Vice President JD Vance for questioning Pope Leo XIV's theological understanding during a Turning Point conference. Vance warned the Pope to be "careful" with theological statements, but Martin noted the irony, Pope Leo XIV holds a master's degree in divinity, plus licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Martin emphasized that Vance's recent 2019 conversion to Catholicism doesn't excuse "inaccuracy and hubris." Addressing Vance's Iran war support, Martin stated the conflict fails Catholic doctrine's "just war" criteria, citing church leaders including Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Cardinal Robert McElroy. Martin highlighted Catholic teaching that "war is always a defeat for humanity," quoting Jesus on peacemakers. He noted Vance previously suggested the Pope focus on morality while overlooking that war and peace are moral issues.Watch the video below. Your browser does not support the video tag.