The Pentagon has rejected claims that senior Department of Defense officials pressured the Vatican’s representative in the United States to support U.S. military objectives.
Reports suggest that during a January meeting, Pentagon officials criticized a speech by Pope Leo XIV and demanded the Catholic Church align itself with American interests.
Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby reportedly told the Vatican's representative, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, that the Church 'had better take its side.'
'America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world,' Colby was quoted as saying, according to a report by the Free Press.
One Pentagon official allegedly referenced the Avignon Papacy—a period when the papacy was controlled by the French monarchy—to emphasize the need for alignment.
Pentagon calls reports distorted
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the meeting took place but characterized the media coverage as 'highly exaggerated and distorted.'
'The meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion,' the spokesperson said.
'We have nothing but the highest regard and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See,' the official added.
The reported confrontation allegedly led the Vatican to cancel a planned visit to the United States by the Pope.
Vice President JD Vance, who recently published a book regarding his conversion to Catholicism, said he did not initially recognize the Cardinal's name.
'I'd like to actually talk to Cardinal Christoph Pierre and, frankly, to our people to figure out what actually happened,' Vance said when prompted about the incident.
Vance declined to offer further commentary, stating he would not comment on 'unconfirmed and uncorroborated' stories.
The tension follows recent statements by Pope Leo XIV, who has been vocal in his opposition to U.S. military actions in Iran.
'Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran,' the Pope said. 'This is truly unacceptable.'
