Catholic convert JD Vance appears to have been kicked off a reunion with Pope Leo XIV, with his frenemy Marco Rubio tapped for the honor instead.
A Vatican source told Reuters that the secretary of state is expected to travel to Italy and meet with the pontiff on Thursday, without JD Vance.
Vance himself took a swipe at the pope while at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, suggesting of God’s voice on earth: “I think it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”
He later softened his tone, praising Leo for “preaching the gospel, as he should,” and asking for prayers.
This marks almost a year since Rubio and Vance met Pope Leo together on May 19, 2025, with the Illinois-born pope having so far declined Vance’s invitation to visit the White House.
Rubio has also emerged as one of Trump’s favored figures, and a key rival to Vance inside MAGA circles.
Both men have long been viewed as potential 2028 contenders, with Trump himself floating each as a possible successor, making Rubio’s Vatican meeting land as more than just a diplomatic courtesy, but possibly a slight at Vance.
Amid Vance’s failed efforts with Iran war talks last month, CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten’s poll readings revealed that Vance is “historically the least popular vice president at this point in their vice presidency,” with his net approval rating at -18 points.
Behind the scenes, Trump reportedly asked aides to “rank” Vance’s performance, even as he attended a UFC event alongside Rubio while his VP was working on ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan.
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