Pope Leo, the first American-born pope and a Chicago native, had repeatedly called for diplomacy over military force in the weeks leading up to the meeting. Vatican officials described the encounter as unusual and far from a casual exchange, while Pentagon officials dismissed it as exaggerated. Pope Leo subsequently canceled a planned visit to the United States.

Hawk also examines Pete Hegseth's personal history, including allegations of alcoholism, a rape allegation settled with a non-disclosure agreement, and a pattern of marital infidelity, alongside his ties to Idaho-based evangelical dominionist pastor Doug Wilson. JD Vance's book on his Catholic conversion, which features a Methodist church on the cover, and the fact that two consecutive popes have been openly critical of Vance, rounds out a look at the cast of characters at the center of this story.

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