Pope Leo XIV may not visit the United States during President Donald Trump’s term, amid increasingly visible tensions between the Vatican and the American administration.
According to a report in the American press, the rupture was accentuated by a tense meeting between Vatican officials and the Pentagon, considered unprecedented.
The Pontiff, born in the USA, has repeatedly criticized Trump's policies, especially in the areas of immigration and military conflicts. He has condemned the war in Iran and described the treatment of migrants by the American administration as "extremely disrespectful," as reported by The Independent.
Unprecedented Meeting Between Vatican and Pentagon
Tensions escalated after the Pope's January speech to the Vatican diplomatic corps, where he criticized states promoting conflict. Subsequently, the US Department of Defense invited Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Pope's personal emissary to the United States, for discussions.
According to reports, the Pentagon's request for such a meeting is "unprecedented." Sources cited by The Free Press claim that American officials interpreted the Pope's statements as direct attacks on Trump's policies.
A sensitive point was the reference to the so-called "Donroe Doctrine," a reinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine promoted by Trump, which aims at uncontested US control over the Western Hemisphere.
The Pope warned that "diplomacy promoting dialogue and seeking consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, whether of individuals or groups of allies."
Refusal of Invitation to US Anniversary
Following these tensions, the Pope reportedly declined Donald Trump's invitation to attend the celebration of 250 years since the founding of the United States.
Instead of an official visit to Washington, the Pontiff is set to spend July 4 on the island of Lampedusa, a symbol of the migration crisis, where many African migrants attempting to enter Europe arrive.
A Vatican official stated that the Pope does not intend to visit the US in the current political context and it is possible that he "may never visit the United States under this administration."
Pentagon Rejects Accusations
The reaction from American officials was swift. A representative of the Department of Defense stated that the report about the meeting with the Vatican was "strongly exaggerated and distorted."
"The meeting between Pentagon officials and those of the Vatican was a respectful and reasonable discussion. We have nothing but the highest regard and welcome the continuation of dialogue with the Holy See," the official noted.
Harsh Exchange on the Issue of Iran
The clash of positions between Pope Leo and Donald Trump continued after that episode. After the White House leader threatened to destroy the "entire civilization of Iran," the Pope reacted publicly. "Today, as we all know, there was also this threat against the entire Iranian people. And this is truly unacceptable," the Pontiff said.
He emphasized that the situation is not just a matter of international law but is "a moral issue concerning the well-being of the entire people, in its entirety."
Subsequently, the Pope welcomed the two-week ceasefire announced between the US and Iran, saying he receives it "with satisfaction" in a context of major global tensions.
Criticism for the Religious Rhetoric of American Officials
The Pope also reacted to the statements of the American Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who called for prayers for the US victory in Iran "in the name of Jesus Christ." The Pontiff rejected this approach, stating that Jesus "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them."
In his Easter message, the Pope made a new appeal for peace: "On this day of celebration, let us abandon any desire for conflict, domination, and power and implore the Lord to grant His peace to a world devastated by wars."
Trump's Contrasting Messages
On the same day, Donald Trump posted an aggressive message on the Truth Social network, in which he threatened Iran's infrastructure.
"Tuesday will be the day of power plants and bridges, all together, in Iran. There will be nothing like it anymore!!! Open the damn strait, you fools, or you will live in hell - YOU WILL SEE! Glory to Allah," Trump wrote.
G.P.