SNL Trump Skit Linking JD Vance to Pope’s Death Sparks Backlash
Saturday Night Live (SNL) recently sparked backlash online following a skit that suggested that Vice President JD Vance caused the death of Pope Francis. Weeks after Francis died from a stroke last month, SNL aired a skit that featured James Austin Johnson as President Donald Trump, as he referenced a conspiracy theory that Vance was involved in the Pope's death.
"Otherwise, I'll have to send JD back to do his thing. Remember the last time JD met the Pope?" Johnson, as Trump said.
He later added: "He's got the Midas touch, but for bad things. He meets the Pope? Dead. Goes to India? War! Joins my campaign? Trump wins!"
According to Premier Christian News, the skit was met with criticism online for being disrespectful to Catholics and to the memory of Pope Francis.
Trump interrupts a Mother’s Day message pic.twitter.com/1SKvMj0inV
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) May 11, 2025
"SNL's tasteless jab at Pope Francis' death and JD Vance is a new low for comedy," one viewer said.
"That's a new low, mocking death and spreading nonsense," another commented. "Proper decency's gone out the window, hasn't it?"
During a segment on "The View" to promote his new movie, "SNL" star Bowen Yang jokingly called Vance a "pope killer," which drew laughter from the show's co-host as well as the audience. As reported by the New York Post, Yang was discussing his portrayal of Vance on the long-running comedy show.
"I just thought there would be better people for it," Yang said, admitting that he did not initially want to play the role of the VP.
"It was my impostor syndrome. I was like, there are better people for this. I worked with an accent coach; I had to get it between Ohio and Appalachia with the accent. It's hard, it's very subtle!"
Meanwhile, co-host Whoopi Goldberg praised Yang's performance, calling it "funny as hell."
Yang, in his response, thanked Golberg, before jokingly saying, "I mean, look, the guy's a pope killer, OK?"
The panel and audience then reacted with laughter to the actor's comment.
"There's our new headline!" co-host Sara Haines said.
Goldberg, after regaining her composure from laughter, said, "Somebody had to say it!"
Yang likewise repeated to Goldberg, "Someone had to say it!"
Meanwhile, Joy Behar attempted to clarify the matter, saying, "He doesn't mean it literally; he's talking—spiritually." Sunny Hostin said, "It's just comedy!"
WATCH: Bowen Yang Addresses SNL Rumors | The View
On the Monday morning after Francis passed away, Goldberg was among the many celebrities who paid tribute.
"He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ's love enveloped believer and non-believer," she wrote on Instagram. "He felt more like Pope John the 23rd, who made belief real. Sail on, Pope Francis, with your love of humanity & laughter."
Vance, who visited Francis a day before he died, also paid respects at the time.
"My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," he wrote on X.
"I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul," he continued, adding a link to the sermon.
I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Saturday Night Live
Originally published May 16, 2025.
