Meloni Condemns Trump’s Attacks on Pope Leo

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on Pope Leo, describing the American leader’s remarks as unacceptable. The statement, issued on April 13, 2026, marks a rare public rebuke of Trump by Meloni, who has historically maintained close ties with the U.S. President.

The friction began on April 12, 2026, when President Trump launched a social media tirade in which he called Pope Leo terrible. Trump criticized the pontiff’s opposition to the U.S.-led war with Iran and claimed, without providing evidence, that his own presidency had enabled Leo’s accession to the papacy. On Monday afternoon, Trump further characterized the Pope as weak during a press gaggle outside the White House, stating there was nothing to apologize for.

The controversy intensified after Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick person. The image featured fighter jets, eagles, and the American flag in the background. The post sparked widespread outrage among Christians and was labeled as blasphemous by critics, including musician Jack White. Trump eventually deleted the post and later claimed he believed the image depicted him as a doctor.

Meloni’s Response and Political Pressure

Prime Minister Meloni initially issued a statement backing Pope Leo while departing for a four-nation visit to Africa, but she did not specifically mention Trump’s comments in that first communication. This omission led opposition politicians to accuse her of lacking the courage to directly challenge the U.S. President.

In response to these criticisms, Meloni issued a second, more explicit statement on April 13, 2026, to clarify her position.

I find President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war.

Giorgia Meloni

Meloni’s decision to distance herself follows a period of political difficulty. Last month, she suffered a defeat in a referendum on judicial reform, and pollsters suggest her ties to the White House may have been a contributing factor. Currently, 66 per cent of Italians hold a negative view of President Trump.

The Vatican’s Position

Pope Leo, the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics and the first American pope, responded to the administration’s rhetoric by telling reporters he has no fear of the Trump administration. He pledged to continue his public defense of migrants and his opposition to the U.S.-led war with Iran.

The conflict highlights a growing divide between the U.S. Administration and European right-wing leaders. While Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s 2025 inauguration and had previously backed him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the president’s rhetoric toward the Vatican creates a significant challenge for conservative leaders whose voter bases are heavily Catholic. In Italy, more than half of the population identifies as Catholic.

The diplomatic tension occurs as the U.S. Continues its military engagement with Iran, a conflict the Pope has consistently condemned. Trump has suggested that Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result if the United States did not intervene in Iran’s nuclear plans.