Vice President JD Vance responded Wednesday to a Free Press report claiming that senior Pentagon officials met with Cardinal Christophe Pierre earlier this year to press the Vatican on matters related to U.S. military authority.
Pierre, until recently, was Pope Leo XIV’s official representative to the United States.
A Free Press report claims that Pentagon officials summoned Pierre earlier this year to a closed-door meeting, where they urged the Church to support U.S. military policy and said America’s military power was unmatched. Vance responded to the report after a reporter pressed him, saying he had not seen the story.
“I’ve never seen this reporting. I’d like to actually talk to Cardinal Christophe Pierre and, frankly, to our people to figure out what actually happened. 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,” Vance said.
WATCH:
Vance’s office, the Pentagon, and Pierre did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
U.S. officials reportedly warned Catholic Church representatives that America could use its military power globally and expected the Church to align with its interests, according to reports. During the meeting, one official reportedly even invoked a 14th-century weapon and the Avignon Papacy to underscore the point.
A Department of Defense spokesperson told Newsweek that the Free Press exaggerated and distorted details of the meeting.
“The meeting between [the] Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion,” the spokesperson said. “We have nothing but the highest regard, and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See.”
Pierre is no longer the apostolic nuncio to the United States after offering his resignation upon turning 80 on Jan. 30. He has been succeeded by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, appointed by Pope Leo XIV to serve as the new Vatican representative in the U.S.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Trump admin reaches settlement with Carter Page over FISA spying - April 23, 2026
- Trump Navy secretary resigns effective immediately - April 23, 2026
- Virginia circuit court rules redistricting vote unconstitutional - April 22, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
