Saturday Night Live (SNL), the popular late-night live sketch comedy show, is known for its dark humor on controversial and sensitive topics. The show has made headlines in the past for mocking religion, including the infamous ‘Church Chat’ sketch. A few weeks ago, an SNL skit mocked Jesus and Easter, which many people criticized and called an ‘assault on faith’. This time, SNL returned with another controversial skit where it joked about Pope Francis’ death and blamed JD Vance for the unfortunate event.
The latest episode of SNL opened with an emotional musical number dedicated to mothers ahead of Mother’s Day. However, it was abruptly stopped by a parody of Donald Trump. It came as no surprise as SNL’s opening monologue has been religiously focusing on the 47th POTUS ever since he took the office in January.
Played by James Austin Johnson, the fake Donald Trump said, “It’s me again, invading all aspects of your life.” His focus quickly shifted to the election of the new pope.
He joked, “We have an American Pope, Chicago-style, no ketchup,” as Pope Leo XIV became the first American to become Pope. Johnson, mimicking Trump, said, “But we like Pope Leo. We hope he does what we want. That’s what you want the Pope to do.”
The skit turned darker as the parody Trump blamed JD Vance for Pope Francis’ death. He said, “Otherwise, I’ll have to send JD back to do his thing. Remember last time JD met the pope?”
US Vice President JD Vance met Pope Francis a day before he passed away. In fact, Vance was the last known world leader to have met Pope before his demise. Blaming Vance, the parody Trump said, “He’s got the Meidas touch, but for bad things. He meets the pope? Dead. Goes to India? War! Joins my campaign? Trump wins!”
The sketch seemed to be inspired by the viral tweets during JD Vance’s trip to abroad. Several internet users pointed out the pattern of disasters in countries JD Vance was visiting.
After the terror attack in India, an X user wrote, “Everywhere you (JD Vance) go, you bring bad luck. First, you met the Pope and gave him a heart attack. Now you went to India and this happened.”
Everywhere you go, you bring bad luck. First, you met the Pope and gave him a heart attack. Now you went to India and this happened.
— ZPK Show (@Zimmerson3) April 22, 2025
Even John F. Kennedy’s grandson wrote on his social media: “Okay JD killed the pope.”
Okay JD killed the pope
— Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) April 21, 2025
JD Vance, however, hasn’t paid any heed to the online trolling and baseless accusations. On Pope Francis’ death, JD Vance wrote on X, “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. 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.”
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.
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…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
Last week, when the Vatican announced the election of Pope Leo XIV, JD Vance congratulated him in a tweet that reads, “Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!
— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 8, 2025
The SNL didn’t stop at poking fun at Vance and Pope connection. It further mocked Catholicism as the parody Trump said, “We love Catholics. It’s one of the stronger Christian organizations, along with Salvation Army, and I want to say Chick-fil-A.”
