Trump Slams Italy’s Meloni Over Pope Remarks and Iran War Dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a sharp attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marking a dramatic shift in relations between the two leaders.

Trump said he was “shocked” by Meloni’s recent criticism of his comments about the Pope and his stance on the war involving Iran, accusing her of lacking courage.

Rift Over Pope and War Comments

The dispute escalated after Meloni publicly condemned Trump’s remarks about Pope Leo XIV, describing them as “unacceptable.”

The Pope had earlier criticised the war and called for peace, prompting Trump to label him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” The situation further stirred controversy after Trump posted an image of himself portrayed as Jesus on social media.

Responding, the Pope said he had “no fear” of the U.S. president, while Meloni defended the Catholic leader’s position.

“The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right for him to call for peace and condemn war,” she said.

Trump Hits Back

In an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, Trump criticised Meloni, claiming she had changed from what he once believed.

“I’m shocked by her. I thought she had courage. I was wrong,” he said.

He also accused the Italian leader of failing to support U.S. efforts regarding Iran and energy security, suggesting she was unwilling to take a firm stance on global threats.

Strained Alliance

The clash signals a notable breakdown in what had been a close relationship. Meloni was previously seen as one of Trump’s strongest European allies and was the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025.

Just weeks earlier, Trump had described her as “a great leader,” making the latest criticism a significant turnaround.

Broader Tensions

The disagreement comes amid wider friction between Washington and European leaders, with Trump also criticising Keir Starmer and the NATO alliance over their stance on the Iran conflict.

Neither the White House nor Meloni’s office has officially commented on the latest remarks.