NEW: Vatican Formally Crushes Dems’ Narrative, Debunks Pretend Information Of Pentagon ‘Threat’
The Pentagon and the Vatican are swatting down a report claiming a U.S. defense official threatened the Holy See during a late-January meeting, calling the story fiction and warning that the sensational framing is designed to stir division.
The controversy centers on a Jan. 22 meeting at the Pentagon between Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy office head, and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, then the Vatican’s top diplomat to the United States.
The Free Press reported Monday, citing unnamed sources, that Colby warned Pierre the U.S. military has the “power to do whatever it wants, and that the Church had better take its side,” and that a U.S. official invoked the “Avignon Papacy,” a reference to the 1309-1376 period when popes resided in Avignon rather than Rome.
The Pentagon rejected that account flatly, calling it “grossly false and distorted” and describing the meeting as routine, respectful and professional.
“During the cordial meeting, they discussed a range of topics, including issues of morality in foreign policy, the logic of the U.S. National Security Strategy, Europe, Africa, Latin America and other topics,” the Pentagon said on social media. “Cardinal Pierre expressed his appreciation for the outreach and both sides looked forward to continued open and respectful dialogue.”
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch said he followed up directly with Pierre, and the cardinal confirmed the story’s most explosive claims were made up.
Burch said Pierre “confirmed” that recent reports of the meeting with Colby “are ‘fabrications’ that were ‘just invented.’”
“Given the intelligence and seriousness of Mr. Colby, I was likewise not surprised when His Eminence acknowledged there were no threats of any kind in the meeting,” Burch wrote on X. “‘It was a frank and cordial meeting that took place two months ago.’ Threat of Avignon? None.’”
Burch added: “When we disagree, we have done so with sincerity and respect. I believe the same could be said of his January meeting with Undersecretary Colby. It’s regrettable that some journalists and online agitators chose to exploit a routine meeting to sow division between the Holy See and the United States.”
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See echoed that message, saying “deliberate misrepresentation of these routine meetings sows unfounded division and misunderstanding. Our relationship remains strong and productive.”
The Vatican also issued its own statement disputing the coverage, saying the meeting was part of normal diplomatic duties and that press accounts were false.
JUST IN: The Vatican has just issued a statement regarding recent reports concerning former U.S. Nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre & U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby. The statement reads:
“As confirmed by His Excellency Christophe Pierre, former… pic.twitter.com/uOFWil647f
— Diane Montagna (@dianemontagna) April 10, 2026
“As confirmed by His Excellency Christophe Pierre, former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, his meeting with Mr. Elbridge Andrew Colby formed part of the Pontifical Representative’s regular duties and provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. The account given by certain media outlets regarding this meeting does not correspond to the truth in any way.”
The denial comes as Pope Leo XIV has voiced concern in recent months about the growing use of military force worldwide, and as the Vatican watches Washington’s overseas actions closely. The White House, meanwhile, has argued Trump’s foreign policy has made the world safer, “more stable and more prosperous.”
“Catholic Americans resoundingly supported President Trump in 2024, and the President’s administration has a positive relationship with the Vatican, which was strengthened when Vice President Vance attended the Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass last year,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. “The President has done more than any of his predecessors to save lives and resolve global conflicts and following the completion of his military objectives in Iran, he is hopeful that the agreement under discussion can lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East,” Kelly added.
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