People think Pope Leo made ‘hilarious’ gesture to shoo JD Vance and his wife away at inauguration
Pope Leo XIV was officially inaugurated as the 267th Pope on May 18 in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, receiving the Ring of the Fisherman and the papal pallium. Among the attendees were U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other global leaders. Despite past criticisms exchanged between Vance and the new Pope, the two shared a brief, cordial handshake during the event. However, social media erupted when Vance touched the Pope’s arm, with some calling the gesture “inappropriate,” while others humorously claimed Pope Leo subtly “shooed” him away.
This isn’t the first time Vance has faced scrutiny at the Vatican. In April, he was accused of breaking protocol by taking photos inside the Sistine Chapel, where photography is strictly prohibited to protect the artwork. While some defended his recent interaction with the Pope as respectful, critics continued to question his conduct. The lighthearted debate online highlighted the tension between political figures and religious protocols during high-profile Vatican events.
