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“Murderers always return to the scene of the crime.” That’s what some social media users said after US vice president JD Vance visited the tomb of Pope Francis, just weeks after meeting the late pontiff hours before his sudden death.The visit took place during a Vatican Mass for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pope.This was Vance’s second trip to the Vatican in less than a month. His first visit was in April, on Easter Sunday, when he met Pope Francis just hours before the pontiff died.On Sunday, Vance led the US delegation at the event. He later posted on X that he and second lady Usha Vance visited the late pope’s grave, saying, “Today, Usha and I visited the tomb of the late Holy Father Pope Francis.
He was beloved by many Catholics around the world, and I hope you will join me in praying for the repose of his soul.”Social media quickly seized on the timing of Vance’s meeting with Pope Francis and the pope’s death hours later.Many users flooded the platform X with memes and comments to troll the Vice President after his visit to Pope Francis’ grave.
Both Pope Francis, during his papacy, and Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, have offered subtle but clear criticisms of US President Donald Trump and Vance’s “America first” political stance.
Vance has surprisingly chosen not to respond to recent online criticism and instead remains low-key. His faith has drawn attention, reinforcing his status as one of the highest-ranking Catholic politicians in the world.At Sunday’s Mass, Vance was seated in a prominent position in the front row, near delegations from Italy and Peru, the latter being Pope Leo XIV’s homeland where he served as bishop and archbishop, NBC News reports.Vance also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome. They were joined at Villa Taverna, the US ambassador’s residence, by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s top aide, according to a White House report.
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