US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing public attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, expressing “shock” at her recent criticism of his remarks about the Pope and his foreign policy decisions. In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Trump said he expected more strength from Meloni, saying, “I thought he had guts. I was wrong.”
He also revealed the growing rift between the two leaders, claiming “I haven’t spoken to her in a long time” and describing her as “very different than I thought”.
Meloni condemns the statements addressed to the Pope
The clash follows Meloni’s strong condemnation of Trump’s comments about Pope Leo XIV. The Italian leader defended the Pope’s role as a moral authority, saying: “The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and condemn any form of war.
She has previously called Trump’s criticism of the pope “unacceptable,” marking a rare and public break from a leader once considered one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe.
Trump takes aim at Pope and allies
Controversy intensified after Trump called Pope Leo XIV. for “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” following the Pope’s opposition to the ongoing war with Iran.
The Pope pushed back in response, saying he was “not afraid” of Trump’s rhetoric.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House later Monday (April 13), Trump refused to apologize for his remarks about the pope. “There’s nothing to apologize for,” he said.
He added of Pope Leo XIV: “Pope Leo said things that are wrong… He was very opposed to what I am doing with regard to Iran.”
Trump went on to say that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, adding: “You cannot have a nuclear Iran.”
The Iran war deepens the differences
At the heart of the dispute is Trump’s controversial military campaign against Iran, which has drawn criticism from many international leaders, including Meloni. The Italian prime minister opposed the escalation and its global consequences, especially its impact on energy markets.
But Trump accused Meloni of failing to understand the threat posed by Iran, saying: “She doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and if she had the chance she would blow up Italy in two minutes.”
He also criticized Italy’s reluctance to support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, adding: “They pay the highest energy costs in the world and they’re not even ready to fight… They’re depending on Donald Trump to keep it open.”
A broken alliance
The dispute marks a dramatic shift in relations between Trump and Meloni, who previously maintained close political ties. Meloni was notably the only European leader to attend Trump’s 2025 inauguration, symbolizing a strong transatlantic partnership.
However, the escalating war in Iran, rising energy prices and disagreements over global leadership have strained this relationship. Trump also extended criticism to other allies, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and NATO members, accusing them of not supporting his military strategy.
