The American Vice President, JD Vance, stated that the Vatican's and Pope Leo XIV's stance on U.S. migration policy is causing concern in Washington. In an interview with Fox News, he said that he disagrees with some of the statements that have come from the Vatican, particularly regarding the issue of migration. According to the TASS agency, Vance described these positions as "alarming" and added that he considers them problematic, especially in the context of U.S. policy at the borders. Reuters reported that Vance was responding to repeated criticism from the Pope regarding the harsh measures taken by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Vance, who is a Catholic, emphasized that he is not trying to create conflict when he meets with representatives of the Church, but rather to convince them that U.S. migration policy is justified. "I am not hostile towards them. I urge them to engage in dialogue, but at the same time, I encourage them to recognize that mass migration also has victims," he said. The Vice President is thus defending the approach of the Trump administration, which links migration to security, border protection, and the impact on American citizens.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has been speaking out about migration for some time. He has criticized the treatment of migrants in the U.S., called for deeper reflection, and, according to Reuters, described the approach of the Trump administration as "extremely disrespectful" and the treatment of migrants as "inhumane."

The current tension between Washington and the Vatican is part of a broader debate about the nature of migration policy. The U.S. administration argues that stricter rules are necessary for security and border control. Critics, on the other hand, point to the conditions in detention centers, the impact of deportations on families, and the issue of access to legal and spiritual assistance for migrants. At the end of June, a Catholic mass was held near the U.S.-Mexico border, during which bishops and believers called for more humane treatment of migrants.

Pope Leo XIV also emphasizes that migration policy must respect human dignity, include safe and legal pathways, and protect victims of human trafficking. He spoke in a similar vein during his visit to Spain in June. The dispute between Vance and the Vatican is therefore not just a political exchange of views, but also a clash of two perspectives: the state's logic of security and the Church's emphasis on protecting people in need.

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