JD Vance thinks he is more Catholic than the Pope:
In August of 2019, at the age of 35 years old – JD Vance got baptised in Ohio, and became a member of the Roman Catholic Church. The largest christian organization on the planet with over 1.4 billion membership. Just after roughly 6 years, as a member of the church, Vice President Vance thinks that he is more catholic than Pope Leo XIV.
The choice faced by JD Vance of late has not been an easy one. Even though some reports indicate that the man has somewhat been against the war with Iran in private, and probably the lonely voice in the Trump administration. Vance, still bears collective responsibilty for every decision and every action undertaken by this administration and he fully knows that. And this is why, he publicly continues to speak in favor of the war with Iran, and expresses his undying support for his boss President Donald J. Trump.
In fact, JD knows that to go aganist the grain or publicly contradict the President of the United States of America, would be political sucide for him or anyone for that matter. Thus, anyone reasonable politician or political analyst can understand this predicament or rather dialema that the US Vice President is faced with or is entangilled in. However, what is unacceptable is the idea that JD Vance can lecture or tell Pope Leo XIV to not speak out aganist the US/Isreali war on Iran.
Long before JD Vance became a catholic, or even Vice President of the United States of America. The Catholic Church has upheld its long tradition of being a moral campus of its members and the world at large. The church has stood up aganist poverty, hunger, war etc,. Therefore, just because the current Pope has a difference of opinion with President Trump, Vance thinks that he can come to the defense of his boss by suggesting that the Pope has crossed his line, when he spoke against the war in Iran. This is absurd, and totally shameful – the best thing Vance should have done is to be quiet if he had no guts to tell his boss, that the war in Iran is immorale and unjustifiable. Because Pope Leo XIV has spoken aganist this war of aggression by Israel and the United States on Iran, he has bceome the target of attacks by the Trump administration – calling him all sorts of names. Speaking to a conservative audience, at the University of Georgia, Vice President Vance said, “In the same way that its important for the vice president of the United States to be careful when i talk about matters of punliv policy, I think its very, very important for the Pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”
This is abosultely shokcing to hear such a statement from a catholic, implying that perhaps the Pope was careless in his utterances and then, goes on to issue a word of caution to Pope Leo. Let us be clear, JD Vance is in no position to suggest that the Pope should be careful when discussing theology, just because the holy father has simply condemned the war in Iran. Just few days before the Vice President made such remarks, Pope Leo XIV posted on his social media that “God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies.”
To make matters worse, Vance doubled down on his comments by suggesting that “In some cases, it would be better for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality.” It is difficult to make sense of this statement, because in reality this is exactly what Pope XIV is doing, he is speaking out on matters of morality like this illegal war in Iran, and the need for peace. Honestly, what can be more significant in terms of issues of morality than that matters of war and peace? Basically, the holy father is doing his job, and keeping up with the traditions of the church to speak for the voiceless, i.e the thousands of people who have already died in this war, caring for the poor, the hunger, and the migrants – all these are fundamental moral issues. And we expect that a graduate from Yale University would understand this more than anyone else.
After all is said and done, and in the final anaylsis, JD Vance will do well not to take sides in this rift between Pope XIV, and President Trump. But rather remain a faithful member of the Catholic church, without sacrificng his faith for political expidency. Actualy, one would have thought that the Trump adminsitration would be very supportive of the first ever American Pope (Pope Leo XIV), especailly that Trump and his MAGA movement claims to be America first.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with Pope Leo XIV and the current US administration. Nonetheless, the Catholic church has a proven and undeniable record of consistency in humantrian aid and for standing up aganist the wars, violence and injustice. Hence, the current Pope is not and should not been seen as doing anything out of the ordinary, if anything he is just doing his job.
JD Vance will be making a catastrophic mistake to think that he is more Catholic than the Pope. The thought that he can render advice or lecture the holy father on matters of theology or morality, is completely a joke. Vice President Vance should remember that politicians come and go, but the church will and has stood the test of time.
Iran, Trump’s threats and the Brics security test:
United States President Donald Trump has turned Iran-US negotiations into a test of Brics power after threatening to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants unless Tehran accepts Washington’s terms and reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
The warning places China and Russia before a defining question. Can the multipolar order protect one of its strategic members when the United States and Israel use bombing, blockade and ship seizure to dictate terms?
The world economy now stands near a dangerous tipping point. American militarisation of Hormuz threatens energy flows, shipping, insurance markets, food prices, fertiliser movement and the trade routes that sustain economies across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Gulf. Reuters reported that traffic through the strait reached near standstill after US shots and the seizure of an Iranian vessel, while the passage normally carries a major share of global oil and gas movement.
Trump stated the threat with the crudity of a president who treats Iranian civilisation as a military object. Time reported that he threatened every major Iranian bridge and power plant if Tehran refused his terms, including the reopening of Hormuz, the end of ballistic missile development and the shutdown of its nuclear programme. Reuters reported his further warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran failed to make a deal.
Jeffrey Sachs succinctly sums up this political moment. Speaking at the China Development Forum in Beijing, Sachs called the war “a blatant, terrible aggression by the US and Israel” and urged countries to tell both states: “Stop, go home.” Sachs has also described US foreign policy as “gangsterism” and argued that Brics can help rescue the UN Charter from American unilateralism.
The present talks carry the violence of their origin. Reuters reported that Trump extended the ceasefire while the United States kept its naval blockade in force, and Iran resisted negotiations conducted under threat. Trump therefore demands that Iran surrender to the American-Israeli war and accept that surrender as diplomacy.
The seizure of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska gives the crisis its maritime centre. AP reported that the United States forcibly seized the vessel near the Strait of Hormuz after claiming that the ship tried to pass the US naval blockade. Trump said a US destroyer stopped the vessel by blowing a hole in its engine room, while US Marines took custody of the ship. Iran’s joint military command called the boarding piracy and warned of a response.
Washington has extended the maritime campaign beyond Hormuz. AP reported that US forces boarded the M/T Tifani in the Bay of Bengal and that the Pentagon announced broader maritime enforcement against vessels linked to Iran. American forces now present international waters as a hunting ground for ships tied to Tehran.
Iran identifies the process as an untenable demand. The United States ties talks to blockade, ship seizure, Israeli bombardment and threats against civilian infrastructure. A state with Iran’s history of revolution, sanctions, assassination, sabotage and Western intervention understands the meaning of an American president who threatens its bridges, power plants and national survival.
China now enters the crisis through more than diplomatic concern. Beijing has condemned the US blockade as dangerous and irresponsible, and Reuters reported Chinese concern over the US seizure of the Iranian cargo ship. Chinese-linked vessels have also tested the blockade environment, including sanctioned tankers moving through or near Hormuz despite American pressure.
Chinese warship movement towards the region now signals a larger recognition inside Beijing’s strategic world. China already placed naval power alongside Russia and Iran through the Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. Russian officials linked those drills to a wider Brics maritime dimension, and that earlier military presence now acquires sharper meaning under Trump’s blockade.
Russia has placed the same crisis inside international law. Maria Zakharova said American measures to intercept vessels and block Iranian ports violate the UN Charter and international maritime law. She also said a naval blockade requires a UN Security Council decision as a collective measure for international peace and security.
China and Russia now confront the limits of condemnation. The scale of the crisis pushes Brics towards a security question that its own history has made unavoidable. A Brics-Plus emergency security council now emerges as one possible political form for that question.
Such a council could place Hormuz, Israeli bombing, US blockade power, Iranian sovereignty and global energy security inside one framework. It could also challenge Washington’s command over a process in which the United States acts as bomber, naval enforcer, mediator and judge.
Iran holds a central position in the new multipolar order. It sits at the junction of the Gulf, the Caspian region, West Asia, Central Asia and the Indian Ocean routes. It carries strategic weight across energy markets, maritime corridors, anti-sanctions economies and resistance to US regional domination. Iran joined Brics on 1 January 2024, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation completed Iran’s admission as a member state in July 2023.
A US-Israeli victory over Iran would damage more than Tehran. It would weaken Brics, weaken the SCO, strengthen American command over Hormuz and tell every state seeking a way out of dollar discipline and NATO pressure that multipolarity collapses when Washington brings aircraft carriers, sanctions and Israeli missiles into the room.
A Brics-Plus security council could place the crisis before the world in concrete terms. Washington lifts the blockade on Iranian ports. The United States releases the Touska and accounts for all maritime seizures through a lawful international process. Israel halts its bombing campaign against Iran. A multilateral maritime arrangement keeps Hormuz open through collective oversight, regional participation and legal authority.
The world has endured enough American bullying. Washington bombs, blockades, seizes ships, threatens civilian infrastructure and then demands respect as a peace broker. Israel bombs with the confidence of a state protected from consequence. Across the Global South, many now look to Brics with real hope because the old order has become unbearable.
Trump has answered the central question through his own words. A president who threatens Iranian civilisation and names civilian systems as targets has forfeited any credible claim to control the peace process. China, Russia and other Brics states now face a test of multipolarity itself. The crisis may push them from diplomatic statements towards security-level involvement, because Washington and Tel Aviv have turned negotiation into a war demand, Hormuz into a pressure point, and Iran into a test case for the entire post-Western order.
Coppélia Colour by Avroy Shlain: Where innovation meets everyday glamour:
In a beauty landscape increasingly defined by individuality and multifunctionality, Coppélia Colour by Avroy Shlain stands out as a proudly South African cosmetics range that blends accessibility, innovation, and sophistication. Designed for modern women who demand both performance and convenience, the range reflects a deep understanding of diverse skin tones, dynamic lifestyles, and evolving beauty preferences.
Rooted in Avroy Shlain’s long-standing heritage in direct selling and personal beauty consulting, Coppélia Colour is more than just a makeup line—it is a curated experience that empowers users to express themselves confidently. From complexion-perfecting foundations to high-impact lip products and skincare essentials, the range delivers versatility without compromising on quality.
At the heart of the collection is the Coppélia Colour Wet & Dry Powder Foundation, a hero product that exemplifies the brand’s commitment to multifunctionality. This innovative formula combines the coverage of a liquid foundation with the convenience of a compact powder, offering users two application methods in one sleek product. Wet & Dry Powder Foundation can be applied with a damp sponge for a smooth, full-coverage finish or used dry for a lighter, matte look—making it ideal for both everyday wear and elevated occasions. Enriched with vitamins C and E and formulated with SPF protection, it not only enhances the complexion but also supports skin health and sun defence.
The foundation’s inclusive shade range—developed with African skin tones in mind—further reinforces the brand’s relevance in the local market. It is lightweight, buildable, and long-wearing, ensuring a polished look that lasts throughout the day. In a fast-paced environment where women are constantly on the move, this dual-purpose product offers both efficiency and elegance.
Complementing the complexion range is the standout Coppélia Colour LED Lipgloss, a product that merges beauty with smart design. LED Lipgloss features a built-in LED light and mirror, allowing for effortless application anytime, anywhere—whether in a dimly lit car, at an evening event, or during a quick touch-up between meetings. Beyond its innovative packaging, the lipgloss delivers a moisturising, high-shine finish with a subtle pearlescent shimmer that enhances the lips’ natural allure.
This fusion of functionality and glamour speaks directly to a generation that values convenience without sacrificing style. It is a small yet impactful innovation that elevates the everyday makeup routine into a seamless, on-the-go experience.
Equally important in the Coppélia Colour ecosystem is skincare—specifically the Coppélia Colour Cleansing Balm, which underscores the brand’s holistic approach to beauty. Cleansing Balm is designed to gently yet effectively remove makeup and impurities, forming the essential first step in any skincare regimen. Applied to dry skin and massaged in before rinsing, the balm transforms cleansing into a nourishing ritual, ensuring that the skin remains balanced and hydrated.
In an era where skin health is increasingly prioritised alongside makeup, the inclusion of such products highlights the brand’s understanding that great makeup begins with well-prepared skin. The cleansing balm not only enhances the longevity and finish of makeup application but also contributes to overall skin vitality.
What sets Coppélia Colour apart is its ability to balance aspiration with accessibility. The range is designed to deliver premium-feeling results while remaining attainable to a broad consumer base, particularly within the South African market. Its direct selling model further strengthens this positioning by creating personalised beauty experiences through consultants who understand their customers’ unique needs.
Ultimately, Coppélia Colour by Avroy Shlain is a celebration of modern beauty—one that is inclusive, innovative, and deeply attuned to the rhythms of everyday life. Whether through the transformative versatility of its wet and dry foundation, the intelligent design of its LED lipgloss, or the skin-first philosophy embodied in its cleansing balm, the range offers a compelling proposition: beauty that works as hard as the women who wear it.
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