By SCM ONLINE REPORTER I April 14, 2026
ITALIAN Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has launched a blistering broadside against Donald Trump, branding his latest outburst against Pope Leo XIV “unacceptable.”
In a rare move that sees the right-wing firebrand break ranks with her long-time political ally, Meloni waded into the escalating row between the White House and the Vatican.
The Italian leader—a staunch Catholic who has previously enjoyed a “warm” relationship with the US President—issued a stinging statement today to defend the 89-year-old Pontiff.
’Unacceptable’
”I find President Trump’s words toward the Holy Father unacceptable,” Meloni declared.
”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.”
The spat was sparked by a series of explosive Truth Social posts from Trump, in which he labeled the American-born Pope Leo XIV “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
Trump’s fury followed the Pope’s recent criticism of US military actions in the Middle East and Venezuela. In one particularly vitriolic post, the President even claimed credit for the Pontiff’s election, writing: “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
The fallout marks a significant diplomatic rift between Rome and Washington. While Meloni and Trump have shared common ground on immigration and “traditional values,” the Italian PM has clearly found a line she will not allow her ally to cross.
The Iran Conflict: Tensions between the two leaders have been simmering since the US-led strikes on Iran earlier this year. While the US pushed for “overwhelming violence of action,” the Pope called for an “off-ramp” to avoid a global catastrophe.
The ‘MAGA’ Pope?: Trump has repeatedly claimed that Pope Leo XIV was only elected because he was American and the Church “thought that would be the best way to deal with me.”
Meloni’s Pivot: Observers suggest Meloni is increasingly aligning herself with UK and European positions on global security, distancing herself from Trump’s more isolationist and aggressive “America First” rhetoric.
Trump, however, shows no sign of backing down. Speaking from the White House yesterday, he doubled down on his comments, telling reporters: “I’m not a big fan. He’s a very liberal person… there’s nothing to apologize for.”
The Vatican has remained largely unfazed by the attacks, with the Pope telling reporters during his current trip to Africa that he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and will continue to pray for peace.
