Italy's Prime Minister backs Pope Leo in clash with Trump

Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with Pope Leo following criticism from Donald Trump, saying religious leaders should remain independent from political pressure. Her remarks came during a conference in Verona where she addressed concerns over church-state boundaries.</p>

Reuters

April 14, 2026

Italy's Prime Minister backs Pope Leo in clash with Trump

FILE PHOTO: Pope Leo XIV meets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at the Vatican, July 2, 2025.

Vatican Media/Francesco Sforza/Reuters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered support to Pope Leo on Tuesday, after the pontiff was sharply criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I express my solidarity with Pope Leo, frankly I would not feel very comfortable in a society where religious leaders do what political leaders say," Meloni said.

The Italian leader, who is seen as close to Trump, was speaking to reporters in Verona, on the sidelines of a conference on the wine industry.

-Reporting by Angelo Amante, writing by Alvise Armellini, editing by Gianluca Semeraro/Reuters