Bowen Yang Calls JD Vance 'Pope Killer' on The View

Comedian Bowen Yang sparked laughter and some controversy during his appearance on The View by jokingly calling Vice President JD Vance a 'pope killer,' referencing Vance's recent meeting with Pope Francis shortly before the pontiff's death. Yang explained his preparation for portraying Vance on Saturday Night Live, including working with an accent coach to capture Vance's Ohio-Appalachia accent. The comment was made in jest, alluding to online memes and jokes that linked Vance to the pope's passing, though co-hosts quickly clarified Yang did not mean it literally. Audience and panel reactions ranged from stunned amusement to outright hilarity, with Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar both stepping in to contextualize the joke. The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis died from natural causes, and Yang's remark drew some criticism online for being in poor taste. The incident highlights ongoing tensions around political humor and the boundaries of satire on daytime television.