Pentagon Denies Allegations of Threatening Vatican Envoy

The Pentagon has denied reports alleging that senior U.S. defense officials delivered a "bitter lecture" to Vatican Ambassador Cardinal Christophe Pierre during a January meeting. According to The Free Press, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby reportedly told Pierre that the United States "has the military power to do whatever it wants" and suggested that the Catholic Church "had better take its side."

In response, a Department of Defense spokesperson stated that the characterization of the meeting was "highly exaggerated and distorted," describing the encounter as a "respectful and reasonable discussion." The spokesperson emphasized the Pentagon's "highest regard" for the Holy See and expressed a desire for continued dialogue.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, also addressed the reports, stating that Cardinal Pierre "emphatically denied the media's portrayal of his meeting with Colby." Burch quoted Pierre as describing the meeting as "frank, but very cordial" and a "normal encounter."

The meeting followed Pope Leo XIV's January address, in which he criticized "diplomacy based on force" and the resurgence of war. The Pope's remarks were perceived as a critique of U.S. foreign policy, leading to the subsequent meeting between Pentagon officials and the Vatican envoy.

Despite the denials from U.S. officials, reports of the meeting have raised concerns about the state of relations between the United States and the Vatican, particularly in light of Pope Leo XIV's recent criticisms of U.S. military actions.