JD Vance slammed for 'inappropriate' gesture to Pope Leo that 'broke protocol'

JD Vance has been criticized for appearing to make yet another 'inappropriate' blunder while meeting the pope.

The US vice president apparently isn't well-versed in Vatican etiquette having only just last month peeved off a lot of Catholic followers for breaking a major rule while on holy grounds.

Now, Vance has apparently broken protocol again, this time while meeting the new Pope Leo XIV who was declared pontiff and head of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, May 8.

Old retweets from the Chicago-born Pope Leo, the first American in history to take on the lofty role, resurfaced not long after his election, which have suggested he isn't exactly a keen Republican.

In fact, the 69-year-old posted dozens of statements critical about President Donald Trump's policies, during both his first term and his second, clashing mostly on immigration and the US' treatment of refugees.

In one instance, Pope Leo even shared an article that called out JD Vance for being 'wrong' about comments he had made about a 'Christian concept.'

Reacting to the apparent criticism, the Catholic convert said he tries 'not to play the politicization of the Pope game', as per The Independent, and also said on a radio show: "I’m sure [Pope Leo] he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with, but I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all and through it all."

Given this, you might have anticipated a frosty meeting when the pair met on Sunday (May 18), yet it appeared Vance actually got a little too friendly with the new pontiff.

After respectfully shaking hands and exchanging some brief words, Vance stretched out his arm to gently pat Pope Leo on his elbow in a gesture many have said looks like Vance is greeting an old frat buddy.

Dozens have since taken to social media in an outrage over the apparent 'disrespect,' describing it as 'overly familiar and inappropriate.'

Another said it looked 'almost condescending' and like 'patting a puppy's head before moving along'.

A third wrote: "J.D. Vance embarrassed himself again at the Vatican when he attempted to pat Pope Leo XIV on the shoulder like a drinking buddy in St. Peter's Basilica after the papal inauguration mass."

According to MetroWest, there are several rules to adhere to when meeting the pope, in the same way you would when meeting royalty.

Conservative attire is preferred, which includes a suit and tie combo for men and a knee-length dress or skirt for women, or a suit.

You're also meant to stand and wait to be introduced to the pope - and only spoke when spoken to with the address of 'Your Holiness.'

Finally, the rules stipulate no touching of the pope unless there is an invitation, such as shaking his hand or even kissing his papal ring.

"Why on earth @JDVance is touching the Pope by his shoulder? It's an awful breach of protocol," said another. "His manners are beyond awful."

The moment comes after Vance allegedly broke Vatican protocol when he took a trip to the grand Sistine Chapel, famously home to Michelangelo's sprawling religious painting of nine scenes from the Book of Genesis and where the papal conclave holds its secretive election meetings.

He visited the landmark while meeting the late Pope Francis in April, who died hours later at the age of 88 from a stroke.

Vance was accused of 'basically giving God the finger' after he posted images from inside the Sistine Chapel, since photography and electronic equipment is strictly prohibited in the chapel.

UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.