Reports have surfaced of a significant rift between the Trump administration and the Vatican, following a closed-door meeting in January 2026 where Pentagon officials allegedly warned Cardinal Christophe Pierre regarding the Pope's diplomatic stance. After Pope Leo XIV's annual address on January 9, which criticized militaristic diplomacy and warned that 'war is back in vogue,' U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby reportedly stated that the United States has the military capability to enforce its will globally, urging the Church to align with U.S. interests. This prompted alarm within the Vatican, leading to the cancellation of the Pope's visit to the U.S. later this year. Instead, he plans to visit Lampedusa, an island that serves as a landing point for migrants from North Africa. The Pentagon has since denied the characterization of the meeting, asserting that it was respectful and aimed at fostering dialogue with the Holy See.