The brief slip spawned sharp reactions online: critics called the moment embarrassing and some labeled Vance a "disgrace," while others urged perspective, noting officials meet many people. The clip spread quickly on X and other platforms.
Vance has spoken about his religious journey publicly: he was baptized Catholic in 2019, attended the Vatican's Good Friday liturgy in 2025 and met Pope Francis in April 2025 shortly before the pontiff's death, and has written about his faith in his book "Communion."