← Back to news
April 14, 2026
JD Vance and Mike Johnson Defend Trump Amid Ongoing Feud with Pope Leo XIV
- Senator JD Vance defended Donald Trump's controversial 'Jesus doctor' photo, calling it a joke and criticizing the backlash against it.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson sided with Trump and Vance, stating that religious leaders should expect political responses when they engage in political matters.
- Vance and Johnson both invoked the concept of 'just war' in response to the pope's criticisms of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the Iran war.
7 Sources
- Vance wades into Trump's feud with Pope LeoApr 14, 2026 at 12:03 PM · The Hill
- JD Vance defends Trump amid spat with Pope Leo: ‘Stick to matters of morality’Apr 14, 2026 at 1:50 PM · The Guardian
- Vance Says the Pope Should Be More Careful When Talking About TheologyApr 15, 2026 at 1:05 AM · NYT
- Vance warns the pope should 'be careful' when talking about theologyApr 15, 2026 at 3:01 AM · NBC
- Catholic JD Vance weighs in on Trump’s ‘Jesus doctor’ photo and his feud with Pope LeoApr 15, 2026 at 5:26 AM · Independent
- Mike Johnson sides with Trump and Vance against Pope Leo: ‘You should expect some political response’Apr 15, 2026 at 4:46 PM · Independent
- Mike Johnson 'taken aback' by pope's comments about warApr 15, 2026 at 4:56 PM · The Hill