Vice President JD Vance led the audience at the 20th National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in prayer for the ailing Pope Francis, who has criticized the Trump administration over its immigration policy.

Vice President JD Vance's remarks at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in , D.C., come amid a weekslong spat with Catholic leaders

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis’ criticism of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, without responding to any of its specifics or to the pontiff’s apparent criticism of Vance’s own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies.

Attendees at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., shared they were inspired and heartened by Vice President JD Vance's special message to Pope Francis.

If you ever hear me pontificating about the Catholic faith, please recognize it comes from a place of deep belief, but it also comes from a place of not always knowing everything all the time,' Vance said.

In an off-the-cuff speech Friday morning in Washington, Vice President JD Vance opened up about his faith, providing more details than ever before about his spiritual journey and how his religious beliefs inform his public policy positions.

JD Vance shared that though he was “surprised" by Pope Francis’ criticism of President Trump’s immigration policy, he believes the pontiff is “fundamentally a person who cares about the flock of Christians.