Giorgia Meloni says Trump's rant against Pope Leo 'unacceptable'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has come out swinging against a scathing attack by former US President Donald Trump on Pope Leo XIV, sparking a diplomatic row between Rome and Washington. In a statement released on Monday, Meloni, the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, denounced Trump's comments as "unacceptable," highlighting the Pope's revered position as head of the Catholic Church. The controversy began on Sunday when Trump launched a surprise tirade against the Pope, sparking widespread outrage and surprise from world leaders and the Vatican itself. Meloni's strong rebuke is likely to further strain relations between Italy and the US, with many watching to see how the Trump camp responds to the Prime Minister's criticism.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized President Trump’s Sunday rant against Pope Leo XIV as “unacceptable.” “I find President Trump’s words toward the Holy Father unacceptable,” said Meloni, the head of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, said Monday in a statement. “The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right...