Trump Criticizes Pope; Italian PM Unusually Rebukes: Condemning War is Natural
On April 14, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV's foreign policy. In response, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement on the evening of April 13, calling Trump's remarks "unacceptable." Meloni initially remained silent on Trump's criticism but hardened her stance following domestic backlash. Pope Leo XIV had recently criticized the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, advocating for peace. Other Italian political figures, including the Deputy Prime Minister, opposition leader, and parliamentary speakers, also condemned Trump's comments.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 09:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:01 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:51 (33h 50m after Collected)
Key news on the US-Iran war.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Ya-shi, Rome, April 14) Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV's foreign policy as poor. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has always been on good terms with Trump, issued a rare statement of rebuttal: "I find President Trump's remarks about the Pope unacceptable. The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church, and it is natural for him to call for peace and condemn all forms of war."
Meloni is considered among the closest EU leaders to Trump, and she has repeatedly stated that Italy can play a bridge role between the U.S. and Europe. However, Trump's public criticism of the Pope sparked widespread condemnation across the Italian political spectrum. On the evening of April 13, Meloni issued a written statement through the Prime Minister's Office, strongly refuting Trump's views.
The timing and shift in Meloni's attitude in issuing such a strong statement sparked heated debate in Italy. Italy's ANSA news agency reported that Meloni did not issue a strong statement regarding Trump's remarks immediately on the morning of April 13, only thanking the Pope for his "peace-themed" trip to Africa. It was only after fierce criticism from the opposition that Meloni publicly condemned Trump's "unacceptable remarks" about the Pope.
However, Meloni explained in her written statement that evening, "I believe the meaning of my morning statement was already clear, but I want to reiterate it more explicitly now."
ANSA reported that Meloni's ultimate decision to confront Trump directly might be the result of a combination of factors, including immense pressure from the center-left opposition and an assessment of the sentiments of the vast majority of the Italian public, who oppose Trump's attacks on the Pope and many of his policies.
The report noted that Meloni's first congratulatory letter to the Pope did not mention the U.S. President, which angered the opposition, demanding that "the Prime Minister must make a statement."
Trump's criticism of the Pope sparked a strong backlash in Italian politics. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, a member of the far-right League party, stated in an interview with Italian television that Pope Leo XIV is the spiritual guide for Catholics, and if anyone is working for peace, it is the Pope. Therefore, attacking the Pope is neither wise nor advisable.
Elly Schlein, leader of the left-wing opposition Democratic Party, stated, "President Trump's attacks and threats against the Pope push his consistent arrogance to the extreme and are intolerable." The Pope's strong calls for peace, dialogue, and the preservation of human dignity were insulted, which is an extremely serious act that fully exposes some people's oppressive culture that does not tolerate free voices.
Lorenzo Fontana, Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and Ignazio La Russa, Speaker of the Senate, also issued statements paying tribute to the Pope and thanking him for his constant calls for peace.
According to Reuters and AFP reports, Pope Leo XIV, from Chicago, USA, has recently been outspoken in criticizing the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. On April 11, he condemned the "madness of war" when calling for peace. The next day, Trump posted a criticism of Leo XIV, calling him "soft on crime, and terrible on foreign policy." (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts; your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Ya-shi, Rome, April 14) Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV's foreign policy as poor. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has always been on good terms with Trump, issued a rare statement of rebuttal: "I find President Trump's remarks about the Pope unacceptable. The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church, and it is natural for him to call for peace and condemn all forms of war."
Meloni is considered among the closest EU leaders to Trump, and she has repeatedly stated that Italy can play a bridge role between the U.S. and Europe. However, Trump's public criticism of the Pope sparked widespread condemnation across the Italian political spectrum. On the evening of April 13, Meloni issued a written statement through the Prime Minister's Office, strongly refuting Trump's views.
The timing and shift in Meloni's attitude in issuing such a strong statement sparked heated debate in Italy. Italy's ANSA news agency reported that Meloni did not issue a strong statement regarding Trump's remarks immediately on the morning of April 13, only thanking the Pope for his "peace-themed" trip to Africa. It was only after fierce criticism from the opposition that Meloni publicly condemned Trump's "unacceptable remarks" about the Pope.
However, Meloni explained in her written statement that evening, "I believe the meaning of my morning statement was already clear, but I want to reiterate it more explicitly now."
ANSA reported that Meloni's ultimate decision to confront Trump directly might be the result of a combination of factors, including immense pressure from the center-left opposition and an assessment of the sentiments of the vast majority of the Italian public, who oppose Trump's attacks on the Pope and many of his policies.
The report noted that Meloni's first congratulatory letter to the Pope did not mention the U.S. President, which angered the opposition, demanding that "the Prime Minister must make a statement."
Trump's criticism of the Pope sparked a strong backlash in Italian politics. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, a member of the far-right League party, stated in an interview with Italian television that Pope Leo XIV is the spiritual guide for Catholics, and if anyone is working for peace, it is the Pope. Therefore, attacking the Pope is neither wise nor advisable.
Elly Schlein, leader of the left-wing opposition Democratic Party, stated, "President Trump's attacks and threats against the Pope push his consistent arrogance to the extreme and are intolerable." The Pope's strong calls for peace, dialogue, and the preservation of human dignity were insulted, which is an extremely serious act that fully exposes some people's oppressive culture that does not tolerate free voices.
Lorenzo Fontana, Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and Ignazio La Russa, Speaker of the Senate, also issued statements paying tribute to the Pope and thanking him for his constant calls for peace.
According to Reuters and AFP reports, Pope Leo XIV, from Chicago, USA, has recently been outspoken in criticizing the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. On April 11, he condemned the "madness of war" when calling for peace. The next day, Trump posted a criticism of Leo XIV, calling him "soft on crime, and terrible on foreign policy." (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts; your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.