Vatican disputes sensational take on nuncio–Pentagon meeting

The Vatican rejected media claims that Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the pope’s U.S. representative, was given a “bitter lecture” during a January Pentagon meeting with U.S. defense officials, saying the encounter was a normal, cordial exchange. The Department of Defense described the meeting as substantive and respectful, noting discussions on morality in foreign policy and other topics, while the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See echoed Pierre’s account of a frank but courteous meeting.