Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Rebukes Donald Trump Over Attack On Pope Leo XIV

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a rare and direct rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling his attack on Pope Leo XIV unacceptable.

“Published on April 14, 2026 at 3:52 AM • Updated on April 14, 2026 at 4:02 AM This is a rare rebuke from Giorgia Meloni against Donald Trump”

20 Minutes

Trump described the pontiff as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy in a Truth Social post.

20 Minutes

Meloni said 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 pope responded by saying he had no fear of the Trump administration and would continue speaking out against war.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also distanced himself from Trump, saying attacking the pope doesn't seem like a useful or intelligent thing to do.

Meloni's rebuke came after a day of political pressure and criticism from opposition parties.

Trump refused to apologize, telling reporters I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo.

BBC

The pope told reporters he was not a politician and would continue to speak strongly against war.

The incident exposed the growing disconnect between Meloni's government and Italian public opinion.

66% of Italians have a negative view of Trump.

The attack on the pope reverberated deeply in Italy, where the Vatican holds immense cultural and historical influence.

“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described as “unacceptable” the message posted by US President Donald Trump on his social network after Pope Leo XIV criticised the war in the Middle East”

Brussels Signal

Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Trumps come and go, popes remain.

Church historian Alberto Melloni pointed to Italy's royal family, the House of Savoy, which clashed repeatedly with the Vatican.

Antonio Spadaro said Trump's attack revealed his own weakness.

The pope is the bishop of Rome and spiritual leader to millions of Italian Catholics.