Vice President JD Vance spoke to a large crowd at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, calling out decades of U.S. foreign policy failures that he says destroyed Christian communities worldwide. He blamed American military actions overseas for wiping out ancient Christian populations in places like Iraq and the Middle East. “Our foreign misadventures led to the eradication of historical Christian communities,” Vance said, calling it a national shame that demands change.
Vance praised President Trump’s approach to foreign policy as a solution. He claimed Trump’s focus on peace deals—not endless wars—aligns with Christian values. “Trump’s policies save lives protect religious freedom,” Vance argued. He contrasted this with past administrations, accusing them of careless decisions that left Christians vulnerable to persecution.
The Vice President didn’t shy away from personal responsibility. He admitted feeling “ashamed” of America’s role in harming global Christian minorities. He pointed to Iraq as a tragic example, where U.S. intervention after 9/11 shattered one of the world’s oldest Christian populations. “We created a proxy for Iran and caused genocide against Christians,” he said bluntly.
Vance tied his Catholic faith directly to his political mission. He shared how his 7-year-old son’s baptism last November became a pivotal family moment. “Faith isn’t about quick fixes—it’s a lifelong journey,” he said, framing his policy goals as an extension of religious duty. He criticized leaders who prioritize economic growth over moral issues like abortion and family stability.
The speech took aim at the Biden administration’s record, accusing it of jailing people for “silently praying” near abortion clinics. Vance vowed the Trump White House would aggressively defend religious liberty, especially for Catholics. He positioned the 2024 election as a spiritual battle, saying, “Prosperity means nothing if our families are crumbling.”
While addressing Pope Francis’ recent criticism of U.S. immigration crackdowns, Vance struck a diplomatic tone. He prayed publicly for the hospitalized pontiff’s recovery but avoided specifics about their policy disagreements. “We’ll listen to people of faith—even when they disagree with us,” he pledged, without backing down from Trump’s border agenda.
Vance closed with a warning about America’s moral decline. He blamed past leaders for valuing stock markets over human life expectancy and vowed to put Christian principles at the heart of governance. “Our policies must defend the unborn, protect marriages, and rebuild communities,” he declared, framing the 2024 election as a last chance to save the nation’s soul.
The crowd responded with strong applause, signaling approval from religious conservatives. Vance’s message clearly resonated with those who believe America’s greatness depends on returning to its Christian roots—and rejecting foreign policies that undermine them.
