Pope Leo XIV Points Finger at Trump and Vance During Inaugural Mass Before 200,000 Witnesses

Before a crowd of over 200,000 faithful gathered in the heart of St. Peter’s Square, newly elected Pope Leo XIV used his first homily as leader of the Catholic Church not only to call for peace and unity—but to issue a barely veiled moral condemnation aimed directly at President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both central figures in a White House increasingly at odds with Vatican teachings. The moment was not just symbolic; it was thunderous.

“In this our time,” the Pope said with unwavering calm, “we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.” The line, though abstract on the surface, echoed like a judgment inside the square—especially for those attuned to the fierce cultural and geopolitical divides defining the current American administration.

Trump, now serving his second term as President of the United States, has used his return to office to intensify many of the policies that drew condemnation during his first term. From aggressively expanding deportations, to leveraging military language against protestors, to entertaining invasions of resource-rich foreign lands such as Greenland, and more recently, suggesting U.S. control over the Gaza Strip—Trump’s vision of American dominance has grown more militant and extractive.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance, seated near the front rows of the papal mass alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, could only sit in silence as the Pope’s words reverberated through the historic square.

This was not a moment of misunderstanding or diplomatic misstep. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was deliberate in every syllable. Elected just weeks after the death of Pope Francis, Leo has positioned himself as a global moral compass—and on Sunday, he made clear that he would not temper his message for political convenience.

His condemnation of xenophobia, ecological exploitation, and power-driven manipulation struck squarely at the heart of Trump’s agenda.

The Pope’s reference to a world disfigured by hatred and systems that marginalize the poor was not theoretical. In the days leading up to the inaugural mass, Trump authorized a new round of deportation sweeps across multiple U.S. cities, citing “national security” concerns. He also defended a controversial deal with Ukraine that grants the U.S. privileged access to rare earth minerals—resources critical to military and tech dominance.

These moves came alongside increasingly authoritarian rhetoric from the White House, where loyalty to Trump is now a near-religious demand.

For Pope Leo XIV, Sunday’s platform was his first global stage—and he used it to draw a line in the sand. “It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda, or by means of power,” he said, his tone cutting through the wind. It was not just a message to the faithful.

It was a challenge to political strongmen, including the one leading the United States.

The tension between Trump’s administration and the Vatican is not new. During his first presidency, Trump frequently clashed with Pope Francis over immigration, climate change, and the morality of wealth. Now, under Pope Leo, the divide appears to be hardening into something more confrontational.

The new Pope’s prior posts on X (formerly Twitter)—since deleted—included sharp criticisms of JD Vance and his public defense of anti-immigration policies. One reposted op-ed, titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others”, left no room for neutrality.

Vice President Vance has tried to appear unbothered. Earlier this month, he told conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, “I try not to play the politicization of the Pope game.” But Sunday’s events suggest that it is no longer a game—especially when the Pope commands the attention of 1.3 billion Catholics and uses his first speech to draw moral battle lines.

To make matters worse for the White House, the visuals told their own story. After the Mass, Pope Leo briefly shook Vance’s hand, in what looked more like formality than forgiveness. In contrast, the Pope held longer, more meaningful private audiences with leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Vance, despite being the highest-ranking American official in attendance, received no invitation for bilateral dialogue and was quietly escorted out among other mid-tier guests.

For the Catholic Church, this isn’t just about U.S. politics—it’s about reclaiming a moral voice in a time of rising authoritarianism. Pope Leo’s homily included references to humanitarian crises in Gaza and Myanmar, underscoring his global focus.

“Children and families in Gaza are reduced to hunger,” he declared, “and fighting in Myanmar has claimed young innocent lives.” In contrast to Trump’s militarized language around Gaza and Ukraine, the Pope’s message focused on the innocent and the displaced—those often rendered invisible by geopolitical power plays.

It was no accident that the Pope used the stage of his inaugural mass to make this stand. With over 200,000 attendees and millions more watching around the world, Leo XIV launched his papacy with a clear commitment: he would not shy away from calling out injustice, even when it comes from the most powerful office in the world. 

His message wasn’t hidden in footnotes or buried in statements—it was spoken aloud, broadcast globally, and pointed directly toward Washington.

Adding to the weight of the moment, Vance appeared to wear the same tie gifted to him by Pope Francis during their brief April meeting. Vance had visited Francis’ tomb just a day earlier and posted a solemn tribute on X.

But the gesture now feels hollow in light of Pope Leo’s address—a relic of goodwill not extended to this new pontificate.

As the Vatican bells tolled and sunlight spilled over the square, Pope Leo XIV didn’t just preach hope. He laid down a warning to those who exploit, divide, and dominate. In doing so, he positioned the Catholic Church once again as a global moral authority—and sent a clear signal to President Trump and his administration: your power may command nations, but it does not command conscience.

Whether the White House will respond remains unclear. So far, there has been no official statement from President Trump or Vice President Vance regarding the Pope’s homily. But if Sunday was any indication, Pope Leo XIV does not intend to be silent. And unlike many in Washington, he seems prepared to speak truth no matter who is watching.

For now, the world has heard his voice. And for Donald Trump and JD Vance, it rang like judgment.