Pentagon Threatens Vatican With Military Force After Pope Criticizes Trump

Tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican escalated after reports emerged that Pentagon officials confronted Cardinal Christophe Pierre in a closed-door meeting.

“Sections Shows Events An automated hi-tech surveillance network being built on the Greek-Turkish border aiming at detecting migrants early and deterring them from crossing, with river and land patrols using searchlights and long-range acoustic devices”

Firstpost

The Free Press reported that Colby told the cardinal that America has the military power to do whatever it wants and that the Catholic Church had better take its side.

Latin Times

The meeting included an invocation of the Avignon Papacy, a 14th-century period when the French Crown used military force to dominate the papacy.

The Pentagon and Vatican denied a rift, with both sides describing the meeting as frank but polite.

The Defense Department called the report grossly false and distorted, while the Apostolic Nunciature said it was grateful for opportunities to meet and dialogue.

The confrontation came days after Pope Leo XIV delivered a State of the World address that included oblique criticism of the Trump administration.

He said a diplomacy that promotes dialogue is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force.

National Memo

The pope called Trump's social media threat against Iran truly unacceptable.

The Vatican's traditionally neutral stance has been tested by Trump's unilateral foreign policy decisions.

The divide has intensified during Trump's second term.

The reported Pentagon confrontation has added to an already strained relationship between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church.

“Tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican escalated this week after reports of a tense January meeting between Pentagon officials and the Holy See, prompting Vice President JD Vance to respond publicly while signaling uncertainty about what actually happened”

Latin Times

Vice President JD Vance said he wanted to verify the facts before taking a position.

The Vatican declined a White House invitation to host Pope Leo for America's 250th anniversary.

One Vatican official said the Pope may well never visit the United States under this administration.

Both sides insist they value dialogue.