In brief
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rebuked Donald Trump's recent criticisms of Pope Leo XIV, calling them 'unacceptable.' Trump's comments included accusations against the Pope regarding crime and foreign policy. Meloni, who has been a close ally to Trump, emphasized the Pope's role in advocating for peace amidst global conflicts. This incident has sparked criticism from Italian opposition parties and raised questions about the balance of political support and respect for the Catholic Church.
Donald Trump's remarks about Pope Leo XIV were unacceptable, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated.
The US president accused the pontiff of being WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy in a long Truth Social post, later telling reporters he was not a big fan.
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, Meloni said in a statement.
Meloni, a Catholic who leads a right-wing coalition government, is a close ally of Trump but had previously hesitated to criticize his harsh comments about Pope Leo.
Italian opposition parties have criticized Meloni for her delayed response. Coalition partner Matteo Salvini remarked, attacking the Pope... doesn't seem like a useful or intelligent thing to do.
After Trump's statements, the Pope indicated that he did not wish to debate with Trump but would persist in promoting peace. He has been vocal against the Iran war, calling Trump's threats against Iranian civilization unacceptable and urging diplomatic resolutions.
On Monday, Trump reiterated his stance, refusing to apologize and branding the Pope as very weak. Trump's critique has echoed through the media and raised concerns among Catholics globally, with commentators comparing his direct attacks on the Pope to historical precedents of fascist leaders.
Pope Leo continues his 11-day tour in Africa, where he aims to spotlight issues of injustice and war, emphasizing the need for dialogue and peace.
