Holy Fumble! VP J.D. Vance stuns the world with shocking gift to Pope Leo XIV in the heart of the Vatican.
In a moment that’s sending shockwaves through the Vatican and rattling believers across the globe, Vice President J.D. Vance has ignited a fiery storm of controversy—after presenting Pope Leo XIV with a football jersey during a solemn state visit.
What was meant to be a diplomatic exchange turned into a bizarre cultural moment when the Vice President handed the Pope a custom Chicago Bears jersey emblazoned with the name “Pope Leo” and the number “XIV.” Captured on camera, the awkwardly American gesture has since gone viral, drawing gasps, laughter—and condemnation—from social media users worldwide.
“As you can probably imagine, people in the United States are extremely excited about you,” Vance declared as cameras rolled.
Touchdown or Tacky?
The internet exploded as social media users cringed over the Vatican stunt.
The Chicago-born pontiff, who became the first American elected to the papacy, smiled graciously at the gesture. But for millions watching online, the grin did little to ease their discomfort.
Also in tow was a hand-delivered letter from President Donald Trump and the First Lady, inviting the Holy Father to visit the United States. The Pope quietly accepted the envelope, placing it on his desk without fanfare.
In return, Pope Leo XIV offered Vance a deeply symbolic gift: a bronze sculpture engraved in Italian with the poignant words, “Peace is a fragile flower.” He also presented a picture book of the Apostolic Palace—a world away from gridiron culture.
“Was that appropriate?”
Outrage erupted online over the VP’s unconventional Vatican offering.
From Instagram to YouTube, stunned viewers didn’t hold back. One Instagram user wrote bluntly: “Was that appropriate?” Another fumed, “Is it me but doesn’t this feel soo wrong?” A third chimed in, “Umm, not the best gift for the new Pope.”
Over on Facebook, the sarcasm was razor-sharp, as one comment read, “He brings a Chicago Bears jersey to the Pope?.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣” The sentiment carried in other comments as well, as another wrote, “A Tee Shirt for the Pope how embarrassing…” One also read, “A Jersey????😳😂”
And YouTube wasn’t kinder. “Feels very awkward,” one social media user noted. Another delivered a blistering critique, “What a joke, a disgraceful and inappropriate gift. Very clear this guy is NOT a true Christian. May god bless Pope Leo XVI and guide him in his journey.”
Divided Reactions
Defenders rally behind Vance’s “gift from the heart.” A few voices stepped forward to defend the Vice President’s unorthodox approach to papal protocol.
“You people act like you know what Pope Leo is thinking about you don’t know if he liked or not like the gifts he got all you may know he could of been happy about the shirt,” one commenter insisted, pushing back at the online onslaught.
While Vance’s camp remains silent, the moment continues to dominate headlines, sparking fresh debate about faith, diplomacy, and the boundaries of cultural expression. Just weeks earlier, during an Easter weekend visit to Pope Francis, a seemingly tender moment with his young son inside the Sistine Chapel ignited a wave of backlash across social media.
A highly controversial image of Vice President JD Vance standing inside the Sistine Chapel with his young son has sent shockwaves through both political and religious circles, after appearing to violate one of the Vatican’s most sacrosanct laws.
The image, captured during Vance’s Easter weekend trip to Vatican City in April 2025, was posted to social media by conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk—and the fallout has been immediate and fierce.
“Taking photos inside the chapel is strictly prohibited. Why would anyone do that? What’s the difference?” one netizen commented. Another shared, “It is forbidden to take photos in the Sistine Chapel. The Church considers it to be greatly disrespectful.”
A third person typed, “Not supposed to photograph it under any circumstance,” while a fourth added, “No doubt, we weren’t allowed any photography in there.” Someone else wrote, “You’re fortunate you were able to take that photo. When we visited, taking photos there was not allowed.”
Another person remarked, “Not allowed to take photos in the Sistine Chapel. Even in something so basic, they think the rules don’t apply to them.”
According to the Vatican Museums’ official guidelines, photography is strictly forbidden inside the Sistine Chapel. “In the Sistine Chapel, it is forbidden to take photographs or films with any type of electronic equipment,” it reads.
Vatican Rulebook Speaks
Strict ban on photos—but are world leaders getting a pass? According to the official Vatican Museums’ guidelines, the matter isn’t open to interpretation:
“In the Sistine Chapel, it is forbidden to take photographs or films with any type of electronic equipment.”
The guidelines further stress:
“The guard staff is authorized to request the immediate cancellation, in their presence, of video or photographic material produced in contravention of this rule.”
Yet the Vance image isn’t the first time the rule has appeared to be bent for the powerful. In 2009, former First Lady Michelle Obama was photographed admiring the chapel’s frescoes during a private tour, raising questions about preferential treatment for high-ranking figures.
A Poignant Final Encounter
The controversial photo was just one moment from a deeply emotional trip. Vance, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance and their children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday in what would tragically become one of the pontiff’s final public encounters with a world leader.
A Vatican-released video shows the visibly frail Pope, seated in a wheelchair, gently greeting the Vice President as a priest translated and presented Vance with rosaries, chocolate eggs for his children, and a Vatican tie.
Before departing, Vance posed for a photo with the Pope and offered his blessings. When news of Pope Francis’s death broke the following day at age 88, Vance shared his heartfelt thoughts on X:
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful,” he added.
As we previously reported, the Vatican has released the official report on Pope Francis’ passing, confirming the cause of death as a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and what was described as “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”
Following the news of the Pope’s death, St. Peter’s Square filled with emotion. Pilgrims stood in silence, held rosaries, and recited prayers in honor of the late Pope.
One mourner wrapped themselves in an Argentine flag — a tribute to Pope Francis’ roots. Others looked up at the now-empty balcony, where he had blessed the crowd just the day before. “I am sad,” said Brigitte Thalhammer, one of many reflecting on the weight of the moment. “He was very, very important.”
After the rosary concluded, spontaneous applause rippled through the square — a final gesture of gratitude for the 88-year-old pontiff who had shaped a decade of the Catholic Church’s history.
Pope Francis’ death came after months of health complications that had raised global concern. He had been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, for treatment of pneumonia in both lungs.
According to medical reports at the time, he alternated between high-flow oxygen during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night.
Despite his condition, he continued spiritual duties from his hospital room, following the Roman Curia’s Spiritual Exercises via video and even celebrating the 12th anniversary of his election with a cake brought in by his medical team.
The Vatican described his status as clinically stable within a complex framework. By late March, after two weeks of noted progress, doctors said Francis would be discharged following a 38-day stay that had twice placed his life at risk.
Though he would require two months of rest and was discouraged from large meetings, his personal physicians were optimistic that he could fully resume activities in time. His release was officially confirmed for March 23. That day, he returned to the Vatican to convalesce at Casa Santa Marta.
Then, on Easter Sunday, April 20, Pope Francis appeared before the public one final time. He blessed thousands from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after delegating the day’s Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
Hours later, the world would learn the moment was his farewell. On the morning of April 21, the Vatican confirmed Pope Francis had passed away at 7:35 a.m. in his residence.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
At 9:45 a.m., Cardinal Kevin Farrell formally announced the news from Casa Santa Marta, expressing sorrow and gratitude. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church,” he said. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love.”
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope’s body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on April 23 so the faithful may pay their respects. That plan was expected to be finalized following the first General Congregation of Cardinals on Tuesday morning.
At 8 p.m. on Monday, a formal rite was held to certify the Pope’s death and place his body in a coffin in the chapel of his residence. The act was validated by Cardinal Farrell and lasted just under an hour.
Seals were also placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta, where he had lived. Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, later confirmed that Pope Francis’ close collaborators had begun paying their respects. He also noted that funeral arrangements were still pending.
“Oh my God, he is now resting,” one netizen commented. Another shared, “Rest in Peace, as you well deserve 🙏,” while a third typed, “Rip Pope 🙏 you will be missed.”
