Trump and Meloni Clash Over Pope Leo XIV and Iran

April 15, 2026 | 02:15 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday, accusing one of his closest European allies of lacking courage after she refused to join the U.S. strike on Iran.

"I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong," Trump told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, as quoted by Ynet. This marks a striking public attack against a leader long regarded as one of Washington's strongest partners in Europe.

Trump mentioned that he had not spoken with Meloni for some time, despite both being right-wing conservatives.

"Because she doesn't want to help us with NATO, she doesn't want to help us get rid of nuclear weapons. It's very different from what I thought," he said, referring to the alleged Iranian nuclear weapons program, which Tehran has denied.

"It is no longer the same person, and Italy will not be the same country."

Trump also questioned Italy's domestic and energy policies. "Do you like the fact that your president is not doing anything to get the (Iranian) oil?" he asked, following his previous statement that he could "take" Iran's oil.

Trump made it clear that Iran is at the core of the dispute, accusing Meloni of failing to support Washington at a critical juncture and underestimating the threat posed by Tehran.

"She does not care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if she had the chance,," Trump said.

The broadside came as Meloni announced that her right-wing government would suspend the automatic renewal of a defense cooperation agreement with Israel "given the current situation."

This clash highlights escalating tensions between Washington and its European allies as the conflict with Iran deepens. The dispute exposes rifts within NATO and increases pressure on governments already grappling with economic fallout, rising energy prices, and domestic public anger.

Denunciation of Pope Leo XIV

Tensions between the American and Italian leaders have escalated in recent days following a wave of attacks from Trump aimed at Pope Leo XIV.

This marks a dramatic shift in the relationship between the U.S. President and Meloni, whose political alliance and personal rapport have long been a matter of public record. Earlier this year, the Italian leader stated she hoped Pope Leo XIV would one day receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump remarked that he did not believe the Chicago-born Pope was "doing a very good job," and accused the latter of "catering to the Radical Left." The criticism followed the Pope’s condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.

Meloni slammed Trump’s targeting of the Pope as "unacceptable." She added that she would not be comfortable in a society where religious figures are expected to follow the instructions of political leaders.

"She's the one who's unacceptable," Trump retorted to Meloni, "because she does not care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in 2 minutes if she had the chance."

As reported by Anadolu, support for Meloni emerged from the Italian opposition.

Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party, condemned Trump’s attack and expressed solidarity with both Meloni and Pope Leo XIV. "We are adversaries in this chamber but all Italian citizens and we will not accept attacks or threats against the government and our country."

Even though the current Pope is American, the Vatican’s status as a microstate in the heart of Rome and Catholicism’s role as the dominant religion in Italy make any attack on the Pontiff feel like an assault on Italy itself.

Despite the diplomatic friction, Meloni described Washington as a "priority ally," though she added that alliances require frankness. "When you're friends, especially strategic allies, you also have to have the courage to say when you disagree."

She remains under mounting pressure at home over regional wars and her reluctance to break completely with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Read: Iranian President Condemns Trump's Insult Towards Pope Leo XIV

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