The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has pushed back against remarks by Vice President JD Vance, after he said Pope Leo XIV should “be careful” when speaking on theological matters.
The statement from the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine comes amid a debate over religion in US public life and a separate controversy involving President Donald Trump and his recent use of religious imagery online.
Vance made the remarks at a Turning Point USA event, questioning the pope’s comments on theology, particularly in relation to his views on war.
The bishops’ Committee on Doctrine issued a statement defending the pope’s authority, saying the pope is “not merely offering opinions on theology,” but is acting as the “supreme pastor of the universal Church” and “preaching the Gospel.”
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