Rome, April 14, 2026 – The Europe Today: Giorgia Meloni on Monday strongly criticized comments made by Donald Trump targeting Pope Leo XIV, calling them “unacceptable” and defending the Pope’s moral stance on global conflicts.
The remarks came after Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV on his Truth Social platform, describing the pontiff as “weak” and questioning his leadership following the Pope’s criticism of the United States and Israel’s war against Iran. Trump also suggested that the Pope’s election was influenced by his American background.
Responding to the comments, Meloni reaffirmed her position, stating that such remarks about the Holy Father were inappropriate. She emphasized that, as the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope has both the right and responsibility to advocate for peace and condemn all forms of war.
“The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace,” Meloni said in an official statement.
Pope Leo XIV, for his part, remained firm in his stance, stating that he was not intimidated by the criticism. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight from Rome to Algiers, he reiterated his commitment to speaking out against war based on the teachings of the Gospel.
“I am not afraid of the Trump administration,” the Pope said, adding that he would continue to raise his voice against conflict while avoiding direct political confrontation.
The Pope has embarked on a 10-day visit to Africa, with scheduled stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, as part of his broader mission to promote peace, dialogue, and humanitarian values.
The exchange underscores growing tensions between political leadership and religious authority amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.
