Vice President J.D. Vance is investigating reports that senior Pentagon officials in January held a tense, allegedly threatening meeting with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s ambassador to the US.
According to multiple reports, the official told the cardinal that the United States had the military power to do “whatever it wants” and warned that Pope Leo “better take its side”.
Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, a close ally of Vance, is said to have called Pierre in for the unprecedented meeting.
Tensions reportedly escalated, with one US official appearing to reference the Avignon Papacy, a period in the 14th century when the French crown exerted control over the papacy.
The meeting followed a speech by Pope Leo in which he appeared to criticise US President Donald Trump, saying: “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.”
The remarks come as the pope has also spoken out against Trump’s repeated threats towards Iran.
Although he has not named Trump directly, Pope Leo has repeatedly rejected war. On 29 March, during a Palm Sunday address, he said Jesus “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them”.
He also responded to Trump’s comments on Truth Social, where the US president warned: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will”.
The pope said: “Today, as we all know, there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable.”
Asked about the reported meeting on Wednesday, Vance said he would look into it.
“I would actually like to talk to Cardinal Christophe Pierre and, frankly, to our people, to figure out what actually happened,” he told reporters.
“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,” he added.
The US Department of Defense has since said media reports of the meeting were “highly exaggerated and distorted”.
“The meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion,” a spokesperson said.
Pope Leo has not travelled to the United States since his election, and there are no public plans for a visit. He is, however, expected to travel to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa in July.
