Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Donald Trump following his harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV. Meanwhile, the Pope emphasized he is undeterred by politics and continues to deliver a message of peace.
On 14 April 2026, Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for making unacceptable remarks after he severely attacked Pope Leo XIV. Earlier, Trump posted on social media, criticizing the Pope as "weak on crime and poor on foreign policy," adding that he is not a fan of the Pontiff.
Meloni, a right-wing government leader with close ties to Trump, stated that the Pope, as the head of the Catholic Church, has the duty to call for peace and condemn war, which is entirely appropriate for his role.
Trump's criticism caused a stir in Italy, with opposition parties accusing Meloni of responding slowly, while Matteo Salvini, a government ally, said attacking the Pope was neither wise nor helpful. This rare instance of a world leader directly criticizing the Pope sparked widespread discontent among Catholics globally. Some scholars noted that even past dictators like Hitler and Mussolini never openly attacked the Pope in this manner.
Pope Leo XIV, currently on an 11-day visit to Africa, told reporters he does not wish to argue with Trump but will continue his mission to promote peace. He stressed he is unafraid of the Trump administration and will persist in speaking about the need to end wars. Previously, the Pope criticized the Iran conflict, stating that threats to destroy Iranian civilization are unacceptable, and called for efforts to reduce tensions.