Mike Pence stokes backlash for calling Pope Francis 'Holy Father,' posting anti-Trump op-ed

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter
Monday, March 03, 2025

Pope Francis speaks with former Vice President Mike Pence during a private audience at the Vatican, Jan. 24, 2020. | ALESSANDRO DI MEO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Former Vice President Mike Pence drew criticism over the weekend for a Friday X post in which he referred to Pope Francis as "the Holy Father," prompting some to accuse him of affirming Roman Catholicism despite being an outspoken Evangelical Protestant.

"One of my greatest honors as Vice President was the hour I spent with Pope Francis at the Vatican in January 2020," Pence tweeted. "[Karen Pence] and I join Catholics around the world Praying for this humble and godly man. God Bless the Holy Father."

Pope Francis remains at Rome's Gemelli Hospital recovering from double pneumonia. According to the Vatican, he remained in stable condition and did not require any mechanical ventilation Sunday, though he suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" on Monday.

Pence was raised Roman Catholic but later left the Catholic Church to become an Evangelical when he was in college, according to a profile in The New York Times.

Read more

Mike Pence and Pope Francis meet in a surprisingly long first visit

Gerard O’Connell

January 24, 2020




Pope Francis greets U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during a private meeting at the Vatican Jan. 24, 2020. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)


U.S. Vice President Mike Pence met Pope Francis in the Vatican at noon on Jan. 24, and the two spoke together in private for an hour, a surprisingly long time for an audience with someone who is not a head of state. It was their first meeting.

Pope Francis welcomed the vice president, who was raised Catholic, and then led him into the private library where he receives heads of state and distinguished guests and where he received President Trump on May 24, 2017.

“I wanted to extend the warmest greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump who so enjoyed his visit here,” Mr. Pence told Francis as they sat down.

Pope Francis then engaged in a private conversation with the vice president, with the aid of interpreters. The length of their conversation would suggest that they went into depth on some topics.

The two spoke together in private for an hour, a surprisingly long time for an audience with someone who is not a head of state.
Tweet this

When they finished their private conversation, Mr. Pence presented his wife, daughter-in-law and other members of his delegation to the pope. The two leaders then exchanged gifts.

Mr. Pence gave the pope a wooden cross carved from a tree on the grounds of the vice president’s residence. Francis gave him a medallion depicting “the angel of peace,” a copy of his message for the World Day of Peace 2020, as well as copies of some of his writings, including “The Joy of the Gospel” and “Laudato Si’.”

Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks at the Faith and Freedom Coalition...

Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks at Munich Security Conference

 Note attached to this video:

 This video is unlisted. Be considerate and think twice before sharing.

P.S.
VP Pence's Speech begins at approximately 32:00 Mins.

3 key takeaways from this week's first-of-its-kind State Department religious freedom event

By

Kelsey Dallas @kelsey_dallas

Published: July 28, 2018 9:47 am

Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, wave following a speech by Pence at the close of a three-day conference on religious freedom at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2018, as the Trump administration comes under criticism for strict refugee and migration policies that have sharply reduced America's intake of people fleeing persecution over their beliefs. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 

Related Links
Pompeo says Trump-Putin summit helps with religious freedom push
Here's what free speech and religious freedom have in common
Judge considers whether to dismiss a case in the latest battle over religious freedom and LGBT rights
Bipartisanship is mostly absent from state-level religious freedom debates


SALT LAKE CITY — The State Department succeeded in bringing together a diverse group of government and religious leaders for three days this week in a first-of-its-kind religious freedom gathering. But that's just the beginning of addressing religious persecution around the globe, participants said.

"There are tremendous threats to religious freedom coming in the future," said Emilie Kao, who directs the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation. "Solidarity is really important."


However, unity will be unsustainable if members of the Trump administration continue to praise authoritarian regimes or anti-Muslim activists, some observers said. Moving forward, government leaders will need to show that they understand what it means to guarantee religious freedom for all.

"It makes it hard to take them seriously when they both undermine religious freedom here at home and when they are ignoring so many other disastrous human-rights abuses," said Michael Fuchs, a former deputy secretary of state, to Politico.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has already announced plans to turn the recent gathering into an annual event. Here are some additional takeaways from the first Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom:

 

Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

Archbishop Demetrios of America, right, from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, attends the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2018, attended by Vice President Mike Pence and hosted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 

1. The Trump administration is taking religious freedom activism to a new level.

The ministerial consisted of three days of official events and dozens of side events, which were attended by survivors of religious violence, clergy members, government officials, diplomats and leaders of social service organizations. Speakers highlighted major threats to religious freedom, shared success stories and created goals to guide future work.

What impressed some participants is that top U.S. officials seemed deeply invested in the success of the gathering.

"At every event, there were senior U.S. government leaders and State Department officials," said Brian Grim, president of the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation.

Remarks by Vice President Pence at Ministerial To Advance Religious Freedom

Photo (Courtesy) https://www.dailywire.com/news/33676/mike-pence-religious-freedom-top-priority-trump-paul-bois

Remarks by Vice President Pence at Ministerial To Advance Religious Freedom

Law & Justice

Issued on: July 26, 2018



Harry S. Truman Building

Washington, D.C.

10:17 A.M. EDT

Thank you, Secretary Pompeo. To the Secretary, to Ambassador Brownback, to Administrator Green, Director Mulvaney, to the representatives of more than 80 nations gathered here, and especially to the survivors of religious persecution who honor us by their presence here today: It is my great honor to address this first ever, and first annual, Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. (Applause.)

And I bring greetings from a champion of religious freedom, at home and abroad. I bring greetings this morning, and gratitude for all the efforts represented here, from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.)

As President Trump has said on many occasions, the United States of America is a “nation of faith,” and religious freedom is a top priority of this administration.

Since the earliest days of our nation, America has stood for religious freedom. Our earliest settlers left their homes to set sail for a New World, where they could practice their faith without fear of persecution. Our forebears carved protections for religion into the founding charters and their early laws.

And after this great nation secured our independence, the American Founders enshrined religious freedom as the first freedom in the Constitution of the United States. And America has always, and will always, lead the world by our example.

As our first President, George Washington, wrote in his famous letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, he said, and I quote, “The United States of America [has] given to mankind…a policy worthy of imitation,” for here, as he said, “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” We “require only that they who live under [our] protection should demean themselves as good citizens.”

And in the long history of this nation, religious freedom has been our first freedom. But as our Founders knew, this precious liberty is endowed not by government, but by our Creator. And we believe that it belongs not just to the American people, but to all people so endowed. (Applause.)

The right to believe or not believe is the most fundamental of freedoms. When religious liberty is denied or destroyed, we know that other freedoms — freedom of speech, of press, assembly, and even democratic institutions themselves — are imperiled.

That’s why the United States of America stands for religious freedom yesterday, today, and always. We do this because it is right. But we also do this because religious freedom is in the interest of the peace and security of the world. 

Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks at a Reception Promoting a Hemisph...

Exclusive Video: Vice President Pence Tells Pastors: 'Share The Gospel!'

'There's Prayer on a Regular Basis in This White House': Mike Pence Reveals Faith Behind the Scenes

05-03-2018
David Brody

WASHINGTON – After President Donald Trump held a celebration for the National Day of Prayer in the Rose Garden, and signed an executive order setting up a new faith-based office, Vice President Mike Pence did an interview with CBN News' David Brody – in his office.

The new executive order expands upon a religious freedom executive order signed last year. Vice President Pence says it makes sure all levels of the federal government are partnering with faith-based groups on various federal programs.

"This is really about making sure that as we develop policies for the country, that we are always making room for those inalienable rights, the free exercise of religion that Americans cherish," the vice president explained.


Related






'I Will Always Protect Religious Liberty': What's Inside President Trump's New Executive Order






'We Affirm Our Dependence on God': President Trump's National Day of Prayer Declaration







'If Ever This Nation Needed Prayer, It's Now': National Day of Prayer Leaders Urge Christians to Pray for Unity


While the White House faith initiative is making headlines, it's what's happening behind the scenes inside the White House that is having quite a bit of spiritual impact.

For a while now, CBN News has reported how evangelical Christians have unprecedented direct access with President Trump. It has led to input on policy and consistent prayer among Cabinet members. Pence says there is prayer going on inside the White House all the time, not only on the National Day of Prayer.

"There's prayer going on on a regular basis in this White House. And it's one of the most meaningful things to me, whether it's public meetings or not, I've lost count of the number of times that the president has nudged me, or nudged another member of the Cabinet and said, 'Let's start this meeting with prayer,'" he told Brody.

Pence casts tie-breaking vote to confirm Brownback as ambassador

By Chad Pergram, Alex Pappas | Fox News



Vice President Mike Pence was summoned to the Senate on Wednesday to break a tie -- twice -- on an ambassadorship nomination for Kansas Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

It’s rare for a vice president to be needed to break a tie, especially for a former senator like Brownback.

Pence had to vote twice: first on a procedural vote to break a filibuster, and then again on the final vote to confirm Brownback.





Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback was nominated by President Donald Trump to become ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. (Associated Press)



The vote was tied 49-49. Then Pence voted "in the affirmative," making it 50-49.

Brownback was nominated by President Donald Trump as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

The last vice president to twice break ties on the same day was Vice President Alben Barkley on October 4, 1949.

The Senate is operating with two Republicans absent. Arizona Sen. John McCain, who is battling cancer, remains out. Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker is at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Under the Constitution, the vice president also serves as president of the Senate and votes in the event of ties.

This is the seventh tie Pence has broken in a little more than a year in office. Former Vice President Joe Biden never had to break a tie during his entire eight years.

Pence cast the tie-breaking ballot to confirm Betsy DeVos as education secretary last year -- the first time a vice president had ever broken a tie to confirm a nominee.


Alex Pappas is a politics reporter at FoxNews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlexPappas.

Source

Mike Pence visits Western Wall amid tension with Palestinians

Recommendations for the Vice President’s Trip to the Middle East

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2018

Contact: Ninar Keyrouz
Tel: (202) 624-7898
Email: press@indefenseofchristians.org


Washington, DC, January 19– Today, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to the Middle East for a weeklong trip where he will stop in Egypt, Israel and Jordan. It has been reported that on his trip, the Vice President will highlight the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and U.S. efforts to aid persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the region.

IDC applauds the Vice President’s efforts to advocate for religious freedom for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, particularly during his trip to Egypt. This year alone, Coptic Christians have suffered through 3 large scale attacks which left dozens dead, seen mob attacks on their communities and have had several churches forcefully closed down or attacked.

During his trip to the Middle East, the Vice President should:

Leverage the hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance that the U.S. gives Egypt annually by pressuring Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi to scale-up security for churches and monasteries in light of recent attacks.
Ensure that Israel protects the religious freedom of all peoples and faith and, in addition, respects the freedom to access all religious sites in the holy city of Jerusalem.

IDC is currently supporting Resolution 673 which reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-Egypt partnership in the region and the fight against terrorism, and encourages the Egyptian government to bring terrorist who have targeted Coptic Christians to justice. It also pushes for Coptic Christians to be given the same rights as other Egyptian citizens.


Source

Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring Senator Bob Dole

P.S. 

Chaplain of the U.S. Senate Barry Black (SDA) closing prayer;

@ 1:09:15 mins.

open-
Eternal Lord God...
close-

We pray this in your great Name... Amen.

Chaplain Barry Black has forgotten how to pray to Our Heavenly Father, and doing it in JESUS' Name.

Remarks by the Vice President at In Defense of Christians Solidarity Dinner

For Immediate Release
October 25, 2017

Remarks by the Vice President at In Defense of Christians Solidarity Dinner


JW Marriott Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

6:41 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Carl. Thank you for your eloquent words. Thank you for that overly generous introduction. To Patriarch Rai, to Patriarch Yazigi (ph), to Archbishop Oshagan, Archbishop Kawak, Metropolitan Joseph, to Mother Olga, all the faith leaders from across the Middle East who are here with us today, to distinguished members of Congress, to all of our honored guests, it is deeply humbling for me to join you here tonight at the Fourth Annual National Advocacy Summit and Solidarity Dinner for an organization that is making a difference in the life of believers all across the world -- In Defense of Christians. Thank you for the honor of joining you today, and thank you for all that you do. (Applause.)

And I bring greetings from my friend of mine and a friend to all who are persecuted for their faith around the globe, the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.)

The President asked me to be here tonight because we both believe, along with all of you, that “American leadership” is crucial to “securing the future of Christians in the Middle East” and to protecting all who are persecuted across the wider world.

And under the leadership of President Donald Trump, I can assure you: The United States of America will always stand with those who suffer for their faith, and we will always support them in the hour of their need. (Applause.)

Let me begin this evening by recognizing everyone gathered here for your compassion, for your commitment to those who have refused to be conformed to this world, as the Old Book says, willing to be mistreated outside the city gates for their faith.

Andrew Doran and all the members of In Defense of Christians, thank you. Thank you for your leadership in this noble cause. (Applause.) The Bible tells us that we’ll know followers of Christ by their fruits. Since the founding only three years ago, your work and your testimony has been evident for all to see.

And to Carl Anderson and the Knights of Columbus, thank you for your extraordinary work caring for the persecuted around the world. (Applause.)

And to Mother Olga, thank you for raising your voice on behalf of the victims of persecution in your homeland and across the Middle East. We are all inspired by your faith. (Applause.)

And let me also thank two leaders of Congress in particular who are with us here tonight, two men that I had the opportunity to serve with when I was a member of the House of Representatives. They are tireless defenders of believers across the Middle East and the wider world, my friend Congressman Jeff Fortenberry and the recipient of tonight’s Cedars of God award, my friend Congressman Chris Smith. (Applause.)

And finally, allow me to thank all the faith leaders who traveled from near and far to be with us tonight -- leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Antiochian Orthodox Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Melkite Catholic Church, the Maronite Catholic Church, and so many other faith traditions from across the Middle East. I had the opportunity to meet with many of these leaders at the White House not long ago. And I know I speak on behalf of everyone here when we look at these great examples of courage and faith, your witness in an inspiration to us all, and it’s an honor to share this evening with you. (Applause.)

Vice President at Catholic Prayer Breakfast: ‘Continue to Be Hands, Feet of Our Savior’

Vice President Mike Pence addresses the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington June 6. (@VP Twitter) 

Nation | Jun. 6, 2017

Mike Pence spoke of Catholic legacy in America, said Trump administration is committed to protecting life and liberty June 6.

Matt Hadro and Adelaide Mena


WASHINGTON — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence exhorted those in attendance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday to continue to be a “voice for the voiceless,” after proclaiming that “life is winning” in the nation.

“Life is winning in America. Life is winning through the steady advance of science that continues to illuminate more and more when life begins,” Pence told the audience in Washington, D.C., June 6.

He added that the pro-life cause is advancing also “through the generosity of millions of adoptive families” and “through the compassion of caregivers and volunteers at crisis-pregnancy centers and faith-based organizations.”

Pence addressed an estimated crowd of 1,300 at the 13th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast attended by many Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A., and Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington.

The vice president stated: “I believe we’ve come to a pivotal moment in the life of our nation, and, indeed, the life of the world. The Catholic community in America has made an enormous difference in the life of this nation.” 

Pence: Trump Prays for Persecuted Christians, Says ISIS Will Be Destroyed

CPPolitics




By Brandon Showalter , CP Reporter May 11, 2017 | 3:36 PM



WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence reiterated the support of President Donald Trump for persecuted Christians around the world, noting that both he and the president pray for them and that the Islamic State terror group will be destroyed "at its source."




(Photo: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
More than 600 victims and advocates from 130 countries gathered in Washington D.C. for the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians, May 10, 2017.

Before 600 victims of persecution and advocates for the persecuted church at the Mayflower Hotel for the first ever World Summit In Defense Persecuted Christians sponsored by evangelist Franklin Graham, Pence, who is a devout Christian, called President Trump a "champion" of religious freedom. Pence's presence at the summit, he said, signifies the president's "tangible commitment to reaffirm America's role as a beacon of hope and light and liberty, to inspire the world."

America was, is, and will always be a shining city on a hill, he continued, where people throughout our history have been able to practice their faith openly and freely, he said.

Pence made a point to laud those in attendance who have themselves endured persecution.



 (Photo: Twitter/Franklin Graham)
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (R) and Vice President Mike Pence (L) at The World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians in Washington D.C. on May 11, 2017.


"Your faith inspires me, it humbles me and it inspires all who are looking on today," Pence said.

"To that number, we are with you, we stand with you, and we are here at this World Summit because of you," he added, speaking on behalf of Trump.

"You have persevered through the crucible of persecution. You refused to be conformed to this world, you have chosen instead to be counted with those outside the city gate for your faith."

He noted that Scripture says that all who follow Christ and desire to live a godly life will be persecuted. Across the world, the Christian faith is "under siege," Pence said, highlighting the oppression and abuses that some 215 million Christians face in over 100 countries.

"Nowhere is this onslaught more evident than the very ancient land where Christianity was born," he noted, referencing various places in the Middle East.

Pence recalled how he spoke recently with a Christian leader from Egypt who described the images he saw when two Coptic churches were bomed on Palm Sunday, specifically the palm fronds worshipers had carried with them in the church marked with the blood of the injured. He also mentioned the atrocities and torture Christians are suffering in places like Syria and Iraq.

"Know today, with assurance, that President Trump sees these crimes for what they are, vile acts of persecution animated by hatred, hatred for the gospel of Christ. And so too does this president know, those who perpetrate these crimes, they are the embodiment of evil in our time."

"He calls them by name, radical Islamic terrorists," Pence said to applause.

"Practitioners of terror harbor a special hatred for followers of Christ, and none more so than the barbarians known as ISIS."

That group is "guilty of nothing short of genocide against people of the Christian faith and it is time the world called it by name."

In Iraq, the Christian population has sharply decreased by 80 percent in the last decade and a half due to the violence. The Christian population in Syria has also dramatically declined in the last six years.

"I can assure you," Pence told the crowd, "you are being carried by the prayers of the faithful across this nation and across the world."

"You have the prayers of our president, and all the American people."

Persecuted Christians have the prayers of the Pence's family, the vice president added, and "the prayers of the president of the United States," he reiterated.

The suffering of Christians in the Middle East has moved the United States of America to act, Pence said. And under President Trump, with the American armed forces cooperating with regional allies, "we will not rest, we will not relent til we hunt down and destroy ISIS at its source."

Protecting religious freedom for people of all faiths is a "foreign policy priority" for the Trump administration, he said.

Franklin Graham closed the session in prayer, thanking God for Vice President Pence, and asking Him to give Pence and President Trump divine wisdom.


Source

 

Vice President Pence Participates in an Israel Independence Day Commemor...

Indiana governor signs state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act

BY NICOLE HENSLEY 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 

Published: Thursday, March 26, 2015, 10:52 AM

Updated: Thursday, March 26, 2015, 2:20 PM

DARRON CUMMINGS/AP
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, pictured Wednesday, signed the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law to prohibit the government from impeding on a person’s religious rights.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence went behind closed doors to sign a controversial measure that would effectively legalize discrimination against same-sex couples by those who object on religious grounds.

Senate Bill 101 was passed by the state House and Senate despite pleas from LGBT activists, Indiana businesses, the Republican mayor of Indianapolis and even leaders of the Disciples of Christ church.

The measure bars the government from impinging on a person’s religious convictions without a “compelling” justification.

Opponents fear the legislation is broad enough to justify an array of discriminatory treatment to residents based on sexual orientation.

Pence, a Republican who assumed office in 2013, promised Monday to sign it into law, and he took the action during a private ceremony Thursday, according to a statement released by his office.

“Today I signed the religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religious for every Hoosier of every faith,” Pence said.

The legislation garnered an array of criticism by those willing to take their business elsewhere instead of facing the state’s possibly discriminatory law.

It’s believed the bill would provide a valid defense to caterers, photographers or bakers to deny goods and services to same-sex couples.

Seattle-based convention group Gen Con, whose organizers threatened to leave Indianapolis, flaunted its $50 million economic impact that would be at stake over the legislation.

That statement prompted Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard to voice his own concerns about the initiative, saying he fears it would send the “wrong signal” about Indiana and deter commerce.

“Indianapolis strives to be a welcoming place that attracts businesses, conventions, visitors and residents,” Ballard, a Republican, said in a statement Wednesday. “We are a diverse city, and I want everyone who visits and lives in Indy to feel comfortable here."

The measure's approval elicited concern from leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who are considering taking their General Assembly, which gathers about 6,000 attendees, out of Indianapolis when it next meets in 2017.

The state’s capital is set to host the NCAA Final Four next week and though the basketball organizers based in Indianapolis did not openly criticize the legislation, they acknowledged it could prove troublesome.

"We are examining the details of this bill, however, the NCAA national office is committed to an inclusive environment where all individuals enjoy equal access to events," the college sports governing association said in a statement.

The state’s new policy is the first bill of its kind to be signed into law this session; coinciding with similar bills in Wyoming, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Utah that were quickly defeated.

Another wave of religious freedom measures were introduced in Montana and North Carolina legislatures during the past two weeks, just weeks before the Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on marriage equality.

American Civil Liberties Union attorneys have taken note of the legislation’s timing and warned it could have implications for required vaccinations and child welfare cases.

A state-by-state break down of controversial legislation.

“The bill was introduced as backlash reaction to achieving marriage equality for same-sex couples in Indiana,” director of ACLU’s Indiana office said in a statement. “We are deeply disappointed that the governor and state lawmakers have been tone-deaf to the cries of legions of Hoosiers.”


Supporters of the bill, including Pence, have repeatedly said the act was intended to protect religious rights, not to codify prejudice.

The state law is patterned after the federal measure enacted by former President Bill Clinton in the early 1990s, but it is most directly inspired by last year’s religious freedom bill in Arizona that fail with Gov. Jan Brewer’s veto.

The federal measure counteracted a Supreme Court decision that upheld the firing and denial of benefits to two Washington state employees whose religious rituals violated state law.

“This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it,” Pence wrote. “For more than 20 years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation’s anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana.”

With News Wire Services.

nhensley@nydailynews.com

Source

.