A reported confrontation between senior Pentagon officials and the Vatican's ambassador to Washington has intensified tensions between the Trump administration and the Holy See, following Pope Leo XIV's public criticism of modern warfare and "diplomacy based on force." The episode, described by Vatican and U.S. sources, centers on a January meeting at the Pentagon that officials say alarmed church leaders and contributed to a deterioration in relations.
According to reporting by The Free Press and corroborated by journalist Christopher Hale, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby summoned Cardinal Christophe Pierre, then serving as the Holy See's ambassador to the United States, for a closed-door meeting. During the exchange, U.S. officials allegedly stated that America "has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world" and that "the Catholic Church had better take its side."
The meeting followed Pope Leo XIV's annual address to the Vatican diplomatic corps on Jan. 9, in which he warned that "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." He added, "War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading."
Though the speech did not explicitly name the United States, it was widely interpreted by observers, including coverage cited by CNN, as a critique of several ongoing conflicts involving U.S. allies and military engagement. Pentagon officials reportedly viewed parts of the address as a direct challenge to administration policy, including what they describe as a doctrine asserting American strategic dominance.
The most controversial aspect of the reported meeting was the invocation of the Avignon Papacy, a historical period when the French monarchy exerted control over the Catholic Church. According to Hale's reporting, some Vatican officials "saw the Pentagon's reference to an Avignon papacy as a threat to use military force against the Holy See," though others interpreted it as rhetorical.
The Defense Department has rejected the characterization of the meeting. A Pentagon spokesperson described the account as "highly exaggerated and distorted" and said the discussion had been "a respectful and reasonable discussion," emphasizing that the department maintains "nothing but the highest regard" for the Holy See.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking to reporters in Budapest, declined to confirm the details but acknowledged the need for clarity. "I would actually like to talk to Cardinal Christophe Pierre and, frankly, to our people, to figure out what actually happened," he said. "I think it's always a bad idea to offer an opinion on stories that are unconfirmed and uncorroborated, so I'm not going to do that."
The fallout has extended beyond diplomatic exchanges. Vatican officials have reportedly postponed plans for Pope Leo XIV to visit the United States, despite invitations tied to America's 250th anniversary celebrations. One Vatican official told The Free Press, "The administration tried every possible way to have the Pope in the US in 2026." Another added, "The Pope may well never visit the United States under this administration."
Instead, the pontiff is expected to spend July 4 on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a symbolic location associated with migration and humanitarian concerns. The decision reflects broader disagreements between Washington and the Vatican on issues ranging from war to migration policy.
Pope Leo has continued to sharpen his public stance in subsequent remarks. On Palm Sunday, he said Jesus "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war," reinforcing a message that has placed the Vatican increasingly at odds with U.S. policy positions.
