As history unfolds in Rome this weekend, two prominent U.S. political figures, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are set to attend a truly momentous occasion.
On Saturday morning, May 18, they will join thousands in St. Peter’s Square to witness the inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV — the very first pope born in the United States.
A Momentous Occasion for American Catholics
The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. local time in Rome, officially marking the start of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy.
For many American Catholics, this event carries special significance, as it symbolizes a new chapter not just for the global Church, but for faith communities back home.
Vice President Vance, who converted to Catholicism, was quick to publicly congratulate the new pope after his election.
On the social media platform X, he shared a message of support, saying, “Millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church.”
Navigating Political Headlines and Personal Faith
However, Pope Leo XIV’s rise hasn’t come without some controversy.
After the announcement, past social media posts from the pope resurfaced, in which he criticized both Vance and former President Trump over immigration and deportation policies.
Those posts were later deleted, but the headlines lingered.
Speaking about the situation in a recent interview with Hugh Hewitt, Vance took a measured stance.
He emphasized that he prefers not to get caught up in politicizing the pope’s words.
“I’m sure he’s going to say some things I love and some things I disagree with,” Vance said, “but I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all.”
Faith Beyond Politics
Vance went on to highlight what he believes the Church’s true mission is — “saving souls and spreading the Gospel.”
While acknowledging that Church teachings sometimes intersect with public policy, he cautioned against viewing the papacy through a purely political lens, especially in today’s fast-paced social media environment.
He encouraged both the media and fellow Catholics to focus on the spiritual rather than political aspects of the papacy.
Rubio Echoes Call for Spiritual Focus
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared similar thoughts during a news conference just days before the Mass.
He stressed that he sees the papacy not as a political role but as a deeply spiritual one.
“The Church has strong social doctrine teachings,” Rubio said, “and I think there is no incompatibility between those teachings and the work of the Church.”
As the world watches Pope Leo XIV begin his historic tenure, these leaders remind us that, regardless of politics, faith and spirituality remain at the heart of the Church’s mission.