Vice President Responds to Pentagon-Vatican Meeting Claims

Vice President J.D. Vance addressed concerns on Wednesday regarding a report from Free Press suggesting that senior officials from the Pentagon convened with Cardinal Christophe Pierre earlier this year to influence the Vatican about U.S. military authority.

The report indicated that Pentagon representatives summoned Pierre to a confidential meeting, urging the church to back U.S. military policies while asserting the unmatched nature of America’s military strength. When asked by reporters for his thoughts, Vance mentioned he had not seen the article.

“I haven’t read this report. I’d prefer to have an open conversation with Cardinal Pierre to grasp what actually took place. It’s generally unwise to comment on something unconfirmed and possibly inaccurate,” Vance remarked.

Neither Vance’s office, the Pentagon, nor Pierre had immediate comments when approached for information by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Reports have circulated that U.S. officials warned members of the Catholic Church about the potential for military actions worldwide and anticipated the church’s alignment with American interests. Allegedly, during the meeting, one official referenced historical weaponry from the 14th century to reinforce their stance.

A Pentagon spokesperson later stated that the Free Press report exaggerated aspects of the discussion, emphasizing that the meeting involved “respectful and reasoned conversations” with Vatican officials. The spokesperson reiterated a commitment to maintaining dialogue with the Holy See.

Recently, Cardinal Pierre, who turned 80 on January 30, resigned from his role, leaving the Apostolic Mission in the U.S. He has been succeeded by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, who was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new Vatican representative in the United States.