Meloni criticises Trump for attacking Pope Leo

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U.S. President Donald Trump faced criticism from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after he described Pope Leo as “terrible.”Meloni’s statement marked a rare public rebuke of Trump, as she has maintained close ties with the U.S. president in the past.

Meloni defends pope

Trump’s comments triggered backlash, especially after he shared an AI-generated image portraying himself as Christ.

Pope Leo, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics, responded to Trump by reaffirming his commitment to speaking out against conflict and supporting migrants.

Initially, Meloni issued support for the pope without specifically addressing Trump.

Following criticism from opposition parties, she later clarified, stating Trump’s remarks towards the pope are unacceptable.

“I find President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable,” Meloni added, reiterating the importance of peace.

Despite backing Trump’s political agenda, Meloni sees a growing disconnect as 66% of Italians view him negatively.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also distanced himself from Trump, noting the need for European leaders to support Pope Leo.

Historical precedents suggest that attacking the pope may lead to political downfall; former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi underscored this sentiment.

Renzi remarked on the rarity of such aggression against a pontiff and its significance for both Catholics and non-believers.

Alberto Melloni, a church historian, pointed to past conflicts between the Vatican and Italy’s royal family, emphasizing the pope’s enduring influence.

Antonio Spadaro from the Vatican stated that Trump’s attack reflects insecurity rather than strength.

He suggested that Pope Leo’s relevance in public discourse reveals the impact of his words.