JD Vance said he had not seen a report alleging Pentagon officials threatened the Vatican and declined to comment until the claims were verified.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance was confronted on Wednesday with a report alleging that the Pentagon threatened the Vatican with military force amid tensions between the administration of Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV. A report by The Free Press said U.S. officials summoned the Holy See’s ambassador to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, following remarks by the Pope critical of the U.S. president.
Speaking to reporters in Budapest, JD Vance said he had not seen the report and declined to comment on unverified claims. “Oh, OK, OK, I’ve met him before… I’ve never seen this reporting,” Vance said, adding he would seek clarification. Independent reporter Christopher Hale later said the Vatican interpreted a reference to the Avignon Papacy as a threat.
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