'Absolutely Wrong': Italian PM Meloni Defends Criticism Of Trump Over Pope Remarks
US President Donald Trump recently said he is shocked by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s lack of support for its campaign against Iran amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The two leaders exchanged sharp remarks this week over comments related to the Pope and nuclear weapons. Meloni had slammed the US president for criticising the Pope, calling Trump’s remarks towards the holy father ‘unacceptable, noting that the Pope’s role in promoting peace must be respected.
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Trump fired back, Meloni is the one who is unacceptable. “She doesn’t care if Iran acquires nuclear weapons and blows up Italy in two minutes,” the president said.
Notably, the Italian leader retorted stating that she feel uncomfortable in a society where political leaders make comments about religious figures.
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The development highlights deepening divisions among the NATO allies over the US’s Iran war policy. Trump had said that Giorgia Meloni doesn’t want to help the US in the war, adding that he thought she had courage. Italy had been one of the closest allies of the US.
Earlier, Italy had announced that the government would suspend the automatic renewal of its defense cooperation agreement with Israel in light of the current situation.
🚨 🇮🇹 Meloni: “Trump’s remarks toward the Holy Father are unacceptable.”
🇺🇸 Trump: “She is the one who is unacceptable. She doesn’t care if Iran acquires nuclear weapons and blows up Italy in two minutes.”
🇮🇹 Meloni: “As far as I know, nine nations possess nuclear weapons, and… pic.twitter.com/BZU3ULn0mV
— The Middle East (@A_M_R_M1) April 14, 2026
