Pro-Trump Italian PM: 'Trump's Words to Pope Unacceptable'

In an unusual break from her usual alignment, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rebuked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his recent harsh criticisms directed at Pope Francis. Meloni, a prominent conservative leader often seen as pro-Trump, declared that Trump's comments towards the Pontiff were "unacceptable," emphasizing the Pope's role as the head of the Catholic Church and the legitimacy of his calls for peace.

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I think that what President Trump said about His Holiness cannot be accepted.

This strong statement from the Italian Prime Minister comes in response to a series of social media posts by Trump, who accused the Pope of being "weak on crime," "terrible on foreign policy," and urged him to "snap out of it" and focus on being a "great Pope" rather than a politician. These remarks followed the Pope's sermon at a prayer vigil condemning all forms of war.

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The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. He calls for peace and condemns every war. It is right and normal for him to do so.

While Meloni has historically maintained a diplomatic stance towards Trump, even being the sole European leader to attend his inauguration, the direct criticism of the Pope appears to have crossed a line. This shift may also reflect a growing unease within Italy, where public opinion towards Trump has soured, and direct attacks on the Pope, the spiritual leader for millions of Catholics, are particularly sensitive and widely condemned.

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Pope Leo is the spiritual leader of billions of Catholics. Anyone who works for peace is Pope Leo.