The Vatican is pushing back against recent media reports describing a January meeting between senior U.S. defense officials and the Holy See’s former ambassador to the United States, insisting that widely circulated claims about the encounter are inaccurate.
In a statement released April 10, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, said that “the narrative presented by certain media outlets regarding this meeting does not correspond to the truth at all,” according to EWTN News.
The meeting in question involved Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who at the time served as apostolic nuncio to the United States, and Elbridge A. Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy. According to Bruni, the meeting was part of Pierre’s “regular mission and provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest.”
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Controversy surrounding the meeting emerged after an April 6 report by The Free Press alleged that Pierre had received “a bitter lecture” from Pentagon officials. The report claimed tensions arose following remarks by Pope Leo XIV criticizing “a diplomacy based on force,” which some interpreted as a critique of U.S. foreign policy.
However, both Vatican and U.S. officials have strongly disputed that characterization.
The U.S. Department of Defense addressed the matter in an April 9 statement, describing the meeting as “substantive, respectful, and professional,” while also asserting that “recent reporting of the meeting is highly exaggerated and distorted,” according to EWTN News.
The Pentagon added that discussions covered a broad 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 statement also noted that Cardinal Pierre “expressed his appreciation for the outreach” and that both sides anticipated continued “open and respectful dialogue.”
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch also weighed in, emphasizing that the cardinal himself rejected the media’s portrayal of the exchange. After speaking directly with Pierre, Burch said the nuncio “emphatically denied the media’s portrayal of his meeting with Colby,” according to EWTN News.
Pierre described the encounter as “frank, but very cordial” and a “normal encounter,” adding that the reporting “does not reflect what happened” and was “just invented to make a story,” Burch said.
While some reports suggested moments of tension, they stopped short of confirming any serious confrontation. Catholic outlet The Pillar reported that a senior Vatican official acknowledged the discussion may have included difficult moments, describing some U.S. participants as “aggressive” and “bullying,” but clarified that “there was no question of anybody threatening anyone,” according to EWTN News.
Earlier reports in some media outlets, including initial coverage cited by Catholic commentators, suggested a more confrontational exchange. However, the Vatican and U.S. officials now firmly reject that interpretation, describing the meeting as respectful and consistent with standard diplomatic engagement.
The meeting took place shortly before Cardinal Pierre’s retirement. Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation in March upon reaching the customary age limit and appointed Archbishop Gabriele Caccia as the new apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The episode highlights ongoing sensitivities in diplomatic relations between the Holy See and world powers, especially on issues of war, peace, and the moral dimensions of international policy. Both sides, however, appear to agree on at least one point: that continued dialogue remains essential.
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