US Vice President JD Vance's recent comments suggesting the Antichrist might be present today and speculating about "the end times" reflect a common belief within Christianity, according to a friend. Rod Dreher, a conservative writer, told the BBC's Today programme that these views are prevalent among those who tend to vote Republican.
Vance made these remarks while discussing his religious views on a Christian podcast. He stated, "I'm not shocked if the Antichrist was walking among us" and questioned if the world was nearing its end. However, he also clarified that such thoughts do not consume his daily life.
"Do I think that we're in the end times? I don't know," Vance said during the podcast conversation with host Bryce Crawford. "And I think that it's probably bad for me spiritually to focus too much on it, because there are, like, things you gotta do. I gotta be good to my wife. I gotta be good to my kids. I have to be as good of a leader as I can for the United States of America."
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, emphasized his focus on his current responsibilities. "What I'm trying to focus on is doing as much of God's work as possible right now," he added.
Dreher, who was present when Vance joined the Catholic Church, suggested that such apocalyptic views are common. "This might sound bonkers to someone who is outside the Christian religion, but it is a very, very common belief within Christianity," Dreher explained. He posited that Vance's remarks were a reflection of a world perceived as "crazy," citing rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and ongoing global conflicts.
Dreher also drew parallels to former President Ronald Reagan, noting that similar comments from him were considered "perfectly normal" by his supporters. Vance, an adult convert to Catholicism, has spoken about how the Church aligns with his family values, social views, and conservative politics.
Since assuming the vice presidency, Vance has had occasional disagreements with Pope Francis and his predecessor on various issues, including immigration policy.
Vance is scheduled to deliver the first White House press briefing since the departure of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday afternoon.