Pentagon Denies Allegations of Threats to Vatican Amid Tensions with Pope Leo XIV
Report claims Pentagon threatened the Vatican with military power. US officials deny it
Yahoo! News
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In January 2026, U.S. Defense officials reportedly warned a Vatican diplomat that the U.S. could use military power against the Church if necessary. This claim, stemming from a controversial article, has been denied by Pentagon officials, who describe the meeting as respectful. The situation arose following Pope Leo XIV's critical remarks on U.S. foreign policy.
- 01Allegations surfaced that Pentagon officials threatened the Vatican during a January 2026 meeting.
- 02The claims arose after Pope Leo XIV criticized U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding war.
- 03Pentagon officials denied the allegations, stating the meeting was respectful and professional.
- 04The rumors gained traction following an article by The Free Press, a conservative media outlet.
- 05U.S. officials, including the ambassador to the Vatican, have labeled the claims as fabrications.
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In early 2026, tensions between the U.S. government and the Vatican escalated following remarks by Pope Leo XIV, who criticized U.S. foreign policy during Easter. Rumors emerged that Pentagon officials threatened the Vatican during a meeting with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, asserting military dominance over the Church. This claim, circulated widely online, was based on anonymous sources and a report from The Free Press, a conservative outlet founded by Bari Weiss. The Pentagon confirmed the meeting took place but vehemently denied the allegations of threats, describing the interaction as respectful and focused on various global issues. U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, also stated that Cardinal Pierre confirmed the media's portrayal of the meeting was fabricated. As of now, the claims remain unverified, and both the Pentagon and Vatican officials have expressed a desire for continued dialogue.
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The allegations could strain U.S.-Vatican relations, affecting diplomatic dialogue and cooperation on global issues.
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