La Croix: After the altercation between Leon XIV and Donald Trump, and especially the harsh criticism of the Pope by the latter, American Vice President J.D. Vance called on the Vatican on Monday, April 13th to “stick to moral questions.” How do you interpret this invective?
In a way, J.D. Vance is right: the role of a pope is not primarily political, but religious and moral, in the name of the Gospel. Unfortunately, he failed to understand that it is precisely on the moral ground that Leon XIV is situated here. This confirms that the American Vice President, although Catholic, is a poor theologian. The Second Vatican Council explicitly addresses this issue in the constitution Gaudium et spes, promulgated by Paul VI in 1965. This major text unequivocally recognizes the legitimate autonomy of the political and religious spheres. However, adds the Council, the Church must be able to “everywhere and always” preach the faith, teach its social doctrine, fulfill its mission… and also “make a moral judgment, even in matters touching the political domain, when the fundamental rights of the person or the salvation of souls require it.” We are exactly in this situation. In fact, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance did not misunderstand. If they reacted so strongly, it is because what Leon says is of a moral nature.
