US President Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo has been described as “unacceptable” by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who on Monday joined politicians across the political spectrum in defending the pontiff.
According to Kathimerini, Meloni issued an unusually direct public rebuke of Trump, despite her previously close ties with the US president, underscoring the widespread anger in Italy over his remarks.
The controversy erupted after Trump called Pope Leo “terrible” during a lengthy tirade on Sunday. He later escalated tensions by posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, prompting further criticism from Christians who viewed the image as blasphemous.
Pope Leo, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, responded quickly, telling reporters he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and pledging to continue speaking out against the US-led war with Iran, as well as in defence of migrants. Meloni’s initial statement had already backed Pope Leo as he departed on an ambitious four-nation tour of Africa, though she did not directly reference Trump’s comments at the time.Following criticism from opposition parties that she had failed to confront Trump, Meloni later issued a second statement clarifying her position.
“I find President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable. 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,” she said.
The danger of going after popes
Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2025 and had hoped her relationship with him would strengthen her political standing domestically and internationally.However, Trump’s unpopularity in Italy appears to be growing, with 66 per cent of Italians holding a negative view of the US president. Polling suggests Meloni’s ties to the White House may have contributed to her defeat in last month’s referendum on judicial reform. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who has also previously aligned himself with Trump, distanced himself from the US president on Monday, signalling a broader shift among sections of Europe’s far right away from the MAGA political orbit.
“Pope Leo is a spiritual leader for billions of Catholics, but beyond that, if there is one person striving for peace, it is Pope Leo, and so attacking him does not seem either wise or helpful,” he said.
As the bishop of Rome and spiritual leader to millions of Italian Catholics, the Pope remains a figure politicians across the spectrum are cautious about confronting.
“It has been centuries since such a blatant act of aggression against the Roman pontiff was seen,” said former centre-left prime minister Matteo Renzi, adding that it was vital for Catholics and non-believers alike to defend Pope Leo.