Vance asked a Democratic Catholic activist to tell him which White House spokesperson said 'the pope doesn’t know what he’s talking about'

07:00 ET, 09 Nov 2025Updated 13:04 ET, 09 Nov 2025

View 2 ImagesThe pope, who is from Chicago, emphasized that people’s spiritual rights must be upheld and protected(Image: Getty Images)

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who describes himself as a “baby Catholic,” seems to be experiencing a rift with the Catholic Church due to the Trump administration’s treatment of migrants.

On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV publicly called for a “deep reflection” in the U.S. about the treatment of migrants in detention centers, when he reacted to news that ICE agents refused to allow faith leaders inside the Broadview, Chicago ICE facility for detainees to receive holy communion.

Article continues below

A delegation of clergy said they were at the facility this past weekend for the Catholic Feast of All Saints, but were not allowed inside. It comes after Vance was one of the last people to hold an audience with Pope Francis before his death in April.

Article continues belowREAD MORE: JD Vance admits he's a 'vain politician' as he reveals brutal jab made about his appearanceREAD MORE: Donald Trump divorce 'ripped' ex-wife's heart out as she opens up on 'painful time'

In response, Pope Leo XIV publicly called on President Donald Trump and Vance to “allow pastoral workers to assist” detained migrants.

View 2 ImagesOn Tuesday, Pope  Leo XIV publicly called for a “deep reflection”(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“The authorities must allow pastoral workers to assist with the needs of these people. Many times they have been separated from their families, and no one knows what happens,” he said.

“Many people who've lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what's going on right now," the pope added.

The pope, who is from Chicago, emphasized that people’s spiritual rights must be upheld and protected. He was responding to questions from reporters outside of his home at Castel Gandolfo Tuesday evening when he shared his concerns.

Follow Irish Star on Google News

Click here to follow Irish Star on Google News for local news and features on Irish America.

"We're going to be asked, you know, how did you receive the foreigner?" he said. "Did you receive him and welcome him or not? And I think that there's a deep reflection that needs to be made in terms of what's happening/ Pope Leo XIV has been critical of the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdowns and has pleaded for the world to help protect immigrants.

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin publicly rejected the pope’s statements, posting a response on X Wednesday morning.

“ Religious organizations have ALWAYS been welcome to provide services to detainees in ICE detention facilities. Religious leaders may request access to facilities through proper channels and have those requests approved. @ICEGov does not separate families,” McLaughlin said.

Christopher Hale, a Democratic Catholic activist who raised awareness of the pope’s comments, was one of dozens of social media users who criticized McLaughlin’s post.

“Calling the pope a liar is beyond the pale, Tricia,” he wrote on X.

Hours earlier, Hale posted on X that a White House spokesperson had responded to Pope Leo’s comments by stating that “the pope doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Vance then responded to Hale’s X post using his official account, asking for the name of the staffer who put the statement out.

McLaughlin’s claim that ICE “does not separate families” comes under scrutiny.

The Trump administration has separated thousands of families, beginning in Trump’s first term during his 2018 “zero tolerance” zero tolerance crackdown.

In Trump’s second term, since January 2025, ICE officers have referred more than 400 children to federal shelters as arrests ramped up—often telling parents to either self-deport with their kids or be separated, according to The Washington Post.

Article continues below

The New York Times in August documented at least nine “interior separation” cases in which ICE detained parents who refused deportation flights and sent their children to federal custody or foster care.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here.