SNL Sketch Sparks Controversy with Jabs at JD Vance and Pope Francis’ Death

Saturday Night Live (SNL) found itself in hot water this week following a sketch that some are calling insensitive and offensive, particularly due to its implications regarding Vice President JD Vance’s possible connection to the death of Pope Francis. The long-running comedy show, known for its satirical takes on current events and figures, has frequently targeted religion in its sketches. However, this latest attempt at humor has drawn significant criticism for allegedly crossing a line.

The episode commenced with a Mother’s Day-themed musical number, a familiar sentimental gesture. This lighthearted opening was abruptly disrupted by a parody of former President Donald Trump, portrayed by cast member James Austin Johnson. In recent weeks, the show’s opening monologue has consistently centered on the former president, indicating his continued relevance in the cultural landscape.

"It’s me again, invading all aspects of your life," Johnson’s Trump declared as he took center stage, setting the tone for what was to follow. The parody Trump quickly steered the conversation toward the Catholic Church’s recent selection of a new pope. "We have an American Pope, Chicago-style, no ketchup," he quipped, referencing the fictional Pope Leo XIV, who was portrayed as originating from Chicago, Illinois. "But we like Pope Leo. We hope he does what we want. That’s what you want the Pope to do."

The sketch then took a significantly darker turn, veering into controversial territory. The parody Trump insinuated that Vice President Vance may have played a role in the death of Pope Francis. "Otherwise, I’ll have to send JD back to do his thing. Remember last time JD met the pope?" he stated, alluding to the fact that Vance had met with Pope Francis just one day prior to the pontiff’s death.

Indeed, Vance was the last known world leader to have a meeting with Pope Francis, visiting him on Easter Sunday the previous month. Tragically, Pope Francis passed away the following day. This sequence of events, while coincidental, appears to have fueled the writers’ creativity, leading to the controversial sketch.

The sketch further sought to attribute various international crises to Vance, with Johnson’s Trump stating, "He’s got the Meidas touch, but for bad things. He meets the pope? Dead. Goes to India? War! Joins my campaign? Trump wins!" These statements served to amplify the insinuation that Vance was a harbinger of misfortune, with potentially deadly consequences for those he encountered.

Following the news of Pope Francis’ passing, Vance expressed his condolences on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill," Vance wrote, among other sentiments. "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."

Despite his expression of sorrow, the timing of the meeting between Vance and Pope Francis sparked a wave of conspiracy theories and jokes across the internet. John F. Kennedy’s grandson even posted on X, reaching his considerable following, stating, "Okay JD killed the pope." The remark, while likely intended as jest, demonstrated the sensitivity surrounding the issue.

Vance has not directly addressed the online speculation, but in an interview with Fox News Digital, he described the meeting with Pope Francis as a profound experience. "I was one of, if not the very last world leader to actually meet with the pope," Vance said. "I took one of my relatively junior staffers, who is a devout Catholic, and I looked back at him when he was about to meet the pope, and he was crying–it sort of drives home how important this, not just this man, but this institution is to over a billion people worldwide." After the meeting, Vance traveled to India for a diplomatic visit and learned of Pope Francis’ death after his arrival.

The SNL sketch did not limit its satire to the Vance-pope connection. It broadened its scope to mock Catholicism more generally, drawing comparisons between the religion and popular American institutions. "We love Catholics," Johnson’s Trump declared. "It’s one of the stronger Christian organizations, along with Salvation Army, and I want to say Chick-fil-A." The comparison, while seemingly innocuous, may have been seen as trivializing the faith.

Throughout the current season, SNL has consistently questioned President Trump’s faith, and for their Easter-themed episode, the show even compared Trump to Jesus. In that sketch, their parody version of Trump stated, "It’s me, your favorite president, Donald Jesus Trump, comparing myself to the Son of God once again."

The recent sketch has raised questions about the limits of satire, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics such as death and religion. Critics argue that the show crossed a line by implying that Vance may have had a hand in Pope Francis’ death. Others defend the sketch as a form of political commentary, arguing that it is the show’s job to satirize current events, even if the jokes are sometimes controversial.

The controversy surrounding the SNL sketch underscores the delicate balance that comedians must strike when dealing with sensitive issues. While satire can be a powerful tool for social commentary, it also has the potential to offend and alienate audiences. In this case, it remains to be seen whether the show will address the criticism it has received or continue to push the boundaries of humor.