The first headline: “Global pastor: In word and deed, pope preached mercy, outreach”

Not “a pastor.” Emphasizing global.

That second article, the journalist is the one using the term “pastor.” It does not appear in quotes.

Third one is closest to your point, but again the wording is very difference from Vance.

"You know, I think for Francis, the image of the good Shepherd was very, very important ... to seek out the lost sheep. So I think he's going to be remembered as a pastor."

It’s kinda strange how eager some of y’all are to defend Vance from the allegation of speaking in a weird and off putting way.

Edit: Let’s try phone a friend (lapsed Catholic, invited me to services a few times for the sit kneel stand routine. The open air service I attended at the Vatican itself felt more Christlike to me, tbh)

Average Internet forum experience—saying something true but downvoted because it was said opposition to a popular view