Vatican Denies Allegations about Pentagon Meetings
The Vatican has strongly refuted claims that Pentagon officials in Donald Trump’s administration conducted tense meetings with representatives of the Catholic Church in January. The Holy See’s press office issued a statement in Italian, asserting the reports were “completely false.”
This statement came in response to a report from a publication that suggested the Trump administration sought to garner the Vatican’s support for potential military actions against Iran. The article detailed a supposedly heated discussion between Elbridge Colby, then undersecretary of the Army for policy, and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who was the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. at that time. Reports suggest Colby thought Pope Leo XIV may have referenced the U.S. in a papal address focused on urging nations to respect international borders.
Colby, according to the same report, responded to the pope’s message, indicating that the U.S. military’s strength allowed for considerable autonomy in decisions. There are claims that U.S. officials even referred to the Avignon Curia, a term that dates back to a time when several popes operated under the French crown instead of as independent leaders.
Matteo Bruni, who heads the Holy See’s press office, did confirm that a meeting took place between Pierre and Colby. However, he clarified that it was routine, simply an opportunity to discuss mutual interests. Bruni added that the media’s portrayal of this meeting was entirely inaccurate.
In contrast, Christopher Hale, a Democratic National Convention delegate and writer, stated he could “independently confirm” the publication’s report, claiming some Vatican officials were alarmed enough by Pentagon strategies that they postponed plans for Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to the U.S.
He further remarked that some Vatican members perceived the Pentagon’s mention of the Avignon Curia as a military threat against the Holy See. Public comments from U.S. officials and further reports had raised questions before the Vatican issued its denial.
Vice President J.D. Vance noted he hadn’t seen the original report but expressed a desire to speak with Pierre, who declined to comment on the article, labeling it “unverified and uncorroborated.” J.D. Flynn, editor of The Pillar, also remarked that the report had not been confirmed.
The Department of the Army’s Rapid Response Team characterized the discussions in January as “substantive, respectful, and professional,” expressing eagerness for continued open dialogue. They emphasized that media reports had exaggerated and distorted the nature of the interactions.
In a follow-up to the Army’s statement, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Birch, reported that Pierre had acknowledged the claims as a “fabrication,” highlighting that their meeting was candid and cordial, with no threats discussed concerning Avignon.
The Vatican did not offer further comments regarding the Daily Caller’s inquiries or provide an official translation of the statement. Attempts to connect with Hale for additional comments were also made.
