Pope Francis has died – And the internet is blaming JD Vance.
The world is mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, just one day after meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. His passing has sparked sadness, reflection, and – unsurprisingly in the age of social media – a flood of commentary and satire. But amid the noise, it’s worth remembering what made Pope Francis such a beloved and progressive figure to so many.
The People's Pope
Pope Francis was known for pushing the Catholic Church toward a more inclusive and socially aware direction. He spoke out in favor of LGBTQ+ rights, championed climate justice, and consistently emphasized compassion. Many admired him for bringing empathy into religious leadership – and for standing firmly on the side of the marginalized.
Notably, Pope Francis was also one of the few global religious leaders who openly criticized the ongoing violence in Gaza. He condemned the genocide in Palestine and repeatedly called for peace and protection of innocent lives. His vocal support for marginalized groups earned him deep respect from people far beyond the Catholic community. Even in his final public address shortly before his death, Pope Francis called for peace in both Gaza and Ukraine.
JFK's Grandson: "JD Vance Killed the Pope"
In a bizarre twist, the timing of Pope Francis's death – just one day after his Easter Sunday meeting with JD Vance – led to an explosion of reactions online. Political commentator Hasan Piker, known as HasanAbi, tweeted: “Holy s*** JD Vance killed him,” echoing the sarcastic tone that soon went viral. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former president John F. Kennedy, also joked: “Okay JD killed the Pope,” and later posted, “WHAT DID JD DO?” Jack Schlossenberg is known for his erratic internet personality and jokes about JD Vance.
Okay JD killed the pope
— Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) April 21, 2025
These posts were, of course, meant as dark humor. But the virality of the joke points to how deeply many people distrust figures like JD Vance, especially when they’re suddenly positioned next to someone as globally respected as Pope Francis. The irony of Vance being one of the last public figures to meet with the Pope didn’t go unnoticed. Throughout his papacy, he frequently criticized figures like Donald Trump for harsh immigration policies and the inhumane treatment of migrants.
Faith, Politics, And The Internet Collide
The death of a leader like Pope Francis is always a global moment. But in 2025, that moment also becomes a meme, a discourse, a trending topic. The fact that so many people responded to the Pope’s death with a mixture of grief, jokes, and political commentary speaks to the complicated era we live in, where power, public image, and tragedy are always online.
Still, beyond the memes, Pope Francis’s legacy remains. He was a moral voice in a time of crisis, a figure who dared to challenge the status quo, and someone who didn’t stay silent about injustice.