Vatican officials briefed on the meeting have revealed that one of the Pentagon’s top officials summoned Cardinal Christophe Pierre in January, delivering a message that the US possesses the military capability to do “whatever it wants,” and emphasized that Pope Leo, the first American-born pope, “better take its side.”
The report mentioned that Cardinal Christophe Pierre was called to the meeting by US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby in January.
Correspondence from Pope Leo confirmed the meeting’s occurrence — causing some Vatican officials to express concern over the Pentagon’s approach, leading them to cancel plans for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the US later this year.
Officials viewed the Pentagon’s allusion to the Avignon Papacy as a direct threat “to use military force against the Holy See.”
The report further noted that “as tensions heightened,” a US official “even referenced the Avignon Papacy, the 1300s period when the French Crown used its military might to dominate papal authority.”
The Free Press reported that Pentagon officials “analyzed the pontiff’s January address,” which was his inaugural State of the World Address. They reportedly took issue with a section where Leo criticized Trump’s so-called Donroe Doctrine, asserting, “A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies.”
Mattia Ferraresi, a writer based in Rome, contends that Leo’s relationship with the Trump administration deteriorated shortly after his election on May 8, as noted by the Daily Beast. He declined the White House’s invitation to return and celebrate America’s 250th birthday this summer.
A Vatican official told The Free Press, “The Pope may well never visit the United States under this administration.”
In contrast, a spokesperson from the US Defence Department asserted that the meeting was “respectful and reasonable”. “The Free Press’s portrayal of the meeting is significantly exaggerated and distorted. The dialogue between Pentagon and Vatican officials was respectful and reasonable. We hold the Holy See in high esteem and look forward to ongoing discussions,” the spokesperson stated.
Throughout his speeches and public addresses, Pope Leo has consistently advocated for peace and diplomacy. In a Palm Sunday address on March 29, he remarked, “Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war and cannot be used to justify it. He does not heed the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”
This issue has also elicited political responses within the United States. Vice President JD Vance faced backlash after appearing unfamiliar with Cardinal Pierre during a media interaction, later clarifying that he had indeed met him previously.
“With no disrespect to the cardinal, I don’t know who Cardinal Christoph Pierre is,” the vice president stated.
When a reporter pointed out that Pierre was Pope Leo XIV’s then-ambassador in the United States, Vance quickly corrected himself. “Oh, okay, okay, I do. I’ve met him before. Sorry. I just didn’t remember the name. I’ve never seen this reporting. I’d like to actually talk to Cardinal Christoph Pierre and, frankly, to our people to figure out what actually happened,” he added.
In the meantime, the Vatican has reiterated its independent moral stance, calling on global leaders to prioritize peace.
