Tensions between the United States government and the Vatican have escalated in recent days, after Pope Leo XIV harshly criticized President Donald Trump’s war rhetoric, in the midst of the conflict with Iran.
The most recent episode of this confrontation arose after a meeting between Pentagon officials and the then apostolic nuncio in Washington, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, was revealed.
According to the media, US authorities would have pressured the Vatican representative to get the Catholic Church to support the government’s position on military matters.. However, the Department of Defense denied this version and assured that it was a “respectful and reasonable” dialogue.
However, according to accounts from Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor, “the Pentagon summoned the Pope’s ambassador, told him that the United States has the military power to do ‘whatever it wants’ and warned that the Church had better take its side. They even invoked the Avignon Papacy, a dark chapter in history when a government used military force to bend the Church to its will. So where exactly does this end? If the Pope refuses to fall in line, what is the next step, bomb the Vatican?“, he wrote in X.
The Pentagon summoned the Pope’s ambassador, told him the United States has the protection force energy to originate “despite it wants,” and warned that the Church higher take its facet.
They even invoked the Avignon Papacy, a sad chapter in historical previous when a authorities former protection force force to bless…— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) April 8, 2026
The controversy comes against a backdrop of the Trump administration’s increasing use of religious rhetoric to justify its military actions, particularly in the war with Iran. The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth recently stated that the partial ceasefire reached was the result of “divine providence,” noting that “God deserves all the glory” for the military operations.
For his part, Trump has also linked his strategy with religious elements. During a press conference, he claimed to believe that “God is on the side of the United States,” which has generated criticism among religious leaders and international analysts.
The statements have provoked a direct reaction from the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV called Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s “civilization” “truly unacceptable” if their demands were not met, and called on the international community to demand peace.
The pontiff has reiterated his position on several occasions. During his Easter message and in the celebration of Palm Sunday, he urged an end to war and stated that God “does not hear the prayers of those who wage war.” In addition, he called for a prayer vigil for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica.
So God loves simplest American troops? No longer innocent folks who misplaced their lives in Iran? Where used to be God’s “miraculous security” for them? Right here is the inevitable results of believing that God is on “our facet.” It be making a pretend god in our image: a god who despises Iranians. https://t.co/68dy0RdMQ2
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 8, 2026
These criticisms reflect a growing clash between the US administration and global religious leaders, who question the use of faith arguments to justify military actions.
As a final reference, trendy Catholic Jesuit priest James Martin chastised Hegseth for his religious comments about US military operations in Iran.
“So, God only loves American troops? Not the innocent people who lost their lives in Iran? Where was God’s “miraculous protection” for them? This is the inevitable result of believing that God is on “our side.” It is creating a false god in our image: a god who despises the Iranians, he stated in X.
Keep reading:
• US suspends attacks on Iran: Trump proposes ceasefire if Tehran opens Hormuz
• Trump attacks NATO again, and again hints that he could abandon it; demands full support in the war against Iran
• “Trump achieved a regime change, but of the maritime regime”: Iran mocks the US president and will charge a toll in the Strait of Hormuz
