Trump Attacks Italian PM Meloni Over Pope Criticism and Iran Policy

Tensions between Trump and Meloni erupted into a public feud after Meloni condemned Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV as unacceptable.

“Italy’s Senate president defends Meloni over ‘frontal attacks’ on pope after Trump remarks La Russa stresses importance of ties between Italy, papacy Beyza Binnur Donmez 14 April 2026•Update: 14 April 2026 GENEVA Italy’s Senate President Ignazio La Russa on Tuesday defended Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying suggestions she would accept direct attacks on the pope are misplaced following remarks by US President Donald Trump”

Anadolu Ajansı

Trump told Corriere della Sera that he was shocked by her. I thought she was brave, but I was wrong.

Anadolu Ajansı

Meloni had said it was unacceptable that Trump called the pope weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy.

Trump retaliated, saying it's her who is unacceptable, because she doesn't care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance.

Meloni announced her government has suspended a defense cooperation agreement with Israel.

Italy's Senate President Ignazio La Russa defended Meloni, saying they don't know Italy and the prime minister.

The feud was triggered by Trump's unprecedented public attack on Pope Leo XIV.

Meloni responded by saying the pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal that he calls for peace.

BBC

The pope himself told reporters he had no fear of the Trump administration.

Trump refused to apologize, doubling down on his criticism.

The controversy was amplified by a now-deleted social media post in which Trump posed in a quasi-religious stance.

The pope used a speech to criticize continuous violations of international law and neocolonial tendencies.

Meloni's decision to suspend the defense cooperation agreement with Israel marked a significant recalibration in ties.

“Despite widespread criticism including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni's rare rebuke after the US president lambasted the US-born pontiff for being "weak on crime," Trump said no to an apology to the Catholic Church's Holy Father while reiterating his claims”

Euronews

The move was described by Israel as largely symbolic.

Analysts attributed Meloni's shift to mounting domestic and political pressure.

Trump appeared to be losing the backing of European allies as the Iran war escalated.

Meloni described Washington as a priority ally but added that alliances require candour.

The rift with Meloni was part of a broader pattern of deteriorating relations between Trump and European allies.

Trump threatened consequences for countries such as Spain, including troop withdrawals.

Fox News

He accused allies including the UK of not stepping up.

Those unwilling to support Washington should go get your own oil.

The escalating tensions highlight growing fractures within Western alliances.