On Wednesday, reports emerged of discord between the Trump administration and the Vatican. free press and Letters from Leo Reports say top Pentagon officials summoned ambassador representing U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV At a closed-door meeting in January 2026, they sharply criticized the pope’s annual address.
What do Pentagon officials say?
After the pope’s “State of the World” address, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and other officials reportedly met with Cardinal Christophe Pierre and issued what sources described as a blunt warning.
Colby and his colleagues reportedly told the cardinal, “The United States has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church would be better off siding with the United States.”
The meeting came shortly after the pope gave his annual address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps on January 9, in which he warned of a “resurgence in war” and criticized what he called “diplomacy based on force,” “imperialist occupation” and the pursuit of global dominance.
Pope Leo believes that “diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by diplomacy based on force,” adding that “war is back in fashion and war enthusiasm is spreading.”
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Vatican reaction
The Vatican was reportedly deeply alarmed by the so-called warning. Pope Leo is said to have canceled plans to visit the United States later this year.
“Many in the Vatican viewed the Pentagon’s reference to the Avignon pope as a threat to use force against the Holy See,” wrote Christopher Hale, author of “Leet from Leo.”
In February, the Vatican reportedly rejected a White House invitation for the pope to attend the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States in July. Pope Leo reportedly chose to visit Lampedusa, a small island between Tunisia and Sicily that has become a major landing point for migrants from North Africa.
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Pentagon responds
Defense Department officials said in interviews independentDisputing the reports, he said: “The liberal media’s depiction of the meeting is highly exaggerated and distorted.” The meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion. We have nothing but the highest respect and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See. “
