On Thursday, Brian Burch, the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, addressed a sensational report with firm denial, asserting it was a mere concoction. The report in question suggested that Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, was subjected to threats by the Pentagon — claims that Burch categorically dismissed as “fabrications” and “just invented.”
The controversy stemmed from an article published by the Free Press earlier in the week. The piece alleged that Elbridge A. Colby, a high-ranking official in the Defense Department, had a tense meeting with Pierre in January. During this encounter, Colby reportedly delivered a stern warning, suggesting that the U.S. holds the military might to enforce its will, urging the Church to align with its stance. The report even drew historical parallels to the 14th-century Avignon Papacy, where the French crown exerted military pressure on the papacy to relocate to Avignon for several decades.
In response, Ambassador Burch took to social media, releasing a statement on X to clarify the situation. He stated that Cardinal Pierre had confirmed that no threats were made during the January meeting with Colby.
“I had a fruitful conversation with Cardinal Christophe Pierre today. As anticipated, he affirmed that the recent media portrayals of his meeting with Undersecretary Colby are nothing but ‘fabrications’ and ‘just invented,'” Burch remarked.
Burch further elaborated, “Given Mr. Colby’s intelligence and serious demeanor, it was unsurprising when His Eminence confirmed there were no threats of any form. It was a candid and cordial discussion held two months ago. Threat of Avignon? ‘None,’ he reassured.”
Concluding his statement, Burch expressed his ongoing relationship with Cardinal Pierre, saying, “Cardinal Pierre has consistently been a valuable interlocutor since my nomination. Even when we disagree, it has been with honesty and respect. I trust the same can be said about his meeting with Undersecretary Colby in January. It’s unfortunate that some journalists and online provocateurs have chosen to manipulate a routine meeting to drive a wedge between the Holy See and the United States.”
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See likewise confirmed Cardinal Pierre’s denial of the threat in a statement on X.
“The Cardinal emphatically denied the media’s portrayal of his meeting with Colby. He described the meeting as ‘frank, but very cordial’ and a ‘normal encounter.’ He confirmed that the reporting ‘does not reflect what happened’ and was ‘just invented to make a story,’” the statement said.
