A viral claim suggesting that Pope Leo XIV could excommunicate US Vice President JD Vance has been circulating online, but there is no evidence to support it.
The rumour appears to have originated from a post by the X account "HalfwayPost," which claimed the Pope was "not afraid" to take such action, but the account is known for satire.
Is the Pope really excommunicating JD Vance? No. The claim is false.
An AI fact-check response by Grok clarified that the post was not based on any verified information.
While there have been online petitions and calls urging Pope Leo XIV to act against Vance over his policy positions, there is no indication that any such move is being considered.
The rumour comes amid reports of strained relations between the Pentagon and the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV has recently spoken out on global tensions, particularly the Iran conflict, condemning threats against civilians and urging leaders to pursue peaceful solutions.
