Leo rebuked Vance on social media platform X in February when the latter, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, said “you love your family and then you love your neighbour” and that others in the world had a lower priority.
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“JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” the Catholic leader wrote in response, posting on X when he was a cardinal, before his elevation to the papacy on May 8.
In his homily on Sunday, Leo took issue with the way governments treated the poorest people of the world and emphasised the need for peace instead.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” he said.
“For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world.”
The Vatican said the “cordial” talks between the Pope and Vance discussed international conflict as well as church issues such as religious freedom.
“Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved,” it said.
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