Fallout from Pope Leo's Criticism of Trump: US Intelligence Reportedly Targets the Vatican

VATICAN — Diplomatic relations between Washington and the Holy See in the Vatican are considered to be at a critical juncture. The latest report from independent investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein reveals that the United States intelligence agency (CIA) has conducted long-term surveillance of the Vatican, with the intensity now increasing following the open criticism by Pope Leo XIV towards US President Donald Trump.

According to Klippenstein’s report—a journalist known for his track record of exposing leaked FBI documents—as cited from the Al Mayadeen website, these US intelligence activities have actually existed before the current administration.

Nevertheless, the operations have been further strengthened after Trump launched scathing criticism towards the Pope on 12 April, calling the highest leader of the Catholic Church a poor figure for foreign policy.

Several elements in the US intelligence community interpreted Trump’s statement as a signal to tighten information gathering related to Vatican internal affairs.

Wiretapping and Latin language capabilities

The report claims that intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, are attempting to monitor communications connected to the Holy See, from emails to telecommunications. In addition to digital wiretapping, the US is reportedly maintaining human intelligence sources within the Vatican’s administrative structure.

US government agencies are even said to routinely distribute intelligence summaries related to Vatican affairs. To support such intelligence analysis, they also deploy personnel with special language skills, including proficiency in ecclesiastical Latin.