Trump 'shocked' by Italian PM as she defends Pope Leo and denounces Iran war

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCyf5x4p2nE

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has broken with Trump by defending Pope Leo XIV and criticizing the war in Iran, prompting Trump to say he was “shocked” by her stance. The clash has turned into a broader diplomatic rift, with Meloni also saying Italy is not taking part in strikes on Iran.

What changed

Meloni, once seen as a close Trump ally, publicly backed the pope after Trump attacked him, calling the criticism “unacceptable”. Trump then told an Italian newspaper he thought Meloni had courage but said he was wrong, and he criticized her for not supporting the U.S. position on Iran.

Why it matters

The dispute shows how the Iran conflict is straining political alliances well beyond the Middle East. It also highlights a split between Trump’s hardline approach and Meloni’s emphasis on restraint and international law.

Broader context

The pope’s comments on peace and war added another layer to the dispute, since Meloni framed her defense of him as both religious and political. That makes the episode about more than one comment; it is now a test of how far European conservatives will align with Trump on foreign policy