14.04.2026 01:30
The tension between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world, turned into an international controversy after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni intervened. Meloni, who openly opposed Trump's harsh statements against the Pope, described these words as 'unacceptable,' while the polemic between the parties became a new source of tension in global politics.
The rising tension between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world, has also been reflected in international politics. Following Trump's harsh criticisms of the Pope, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a notable statement, describing the remarks as "unacceptable."
TRUMP'S HARSH WORDS TO THE POPE
Trump described Pope Leo as "weak" and "inadequate in foreign policy," targeting the first American pope, Leo XIV, particularly for his criticisms regarding the Iran war and migration policies.
Trump, who opposed the Pope's calls for peace, also shared an image likening himself to Jesus Christ, further fueling the controversies.
MELONI'S OPEN REACTION
Italian Prime Minister Meloni became the first prime minister to directly oppose Trump's statements. Meloni used the following expressions:
"Trump's words towards the Holy Father are unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and condemn wars."
Meloni's statement also drew attention as it came at a time when Trump was seeking support from Europe regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
THE POPE DID NOT STEP BACK EITHER
Despite the criticisms, Pope Leo did not step back and continued his peace messages. Emphasizing that he is not afraid of the US administration, the Pope stated that he would maintain his anti-war stance. Pope Leo said, "I am not afraid of the Trump administration. I do not hesitate to convey the message of the Bible. We are not politicians. We do not approach foreign policy from a perspective he can understand, but I believe in the message of the Bible, as a peace envoy."
INTERNATIONAL TENSION
The war of words between Trump and the Pope has gone beyond being just a religious debate and become one of the important topics of international politics. With Meloni's intervention, the crisis has also gained a new dimension in terms of US-Europe relations and Vatican diplomacy.
On the other hand, Meloni's opposition gains even more significance because she hosts the Vatican. Because the Vatican, officially the Vatican City State, is a landlocked country and city-state surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy.