U.S. President Donald Trump is welcoming Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the summit on the Gaza Strip held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13 last year. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
According to Yonhap News Agency, on April 14 (local time), President Trump said in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, “I was shocked because Prime Minister Meloni turned out to be very different from what I thought,” and “I thought she was a courageous person, but I was wrong.” He was pointing out that Italy did not contribute to the operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Meloni, who has been considered pro-Trump, has strongly criticized the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran as a “violation of international law.” She also targeted President Trump, who previously criticized the Pope in harsh terms, saying, “It would be deeply uncomfortable if religious leaders acted according to the words of political leaders,” and emphasized, “I stand in solidarity with the Pope.” The day before, she also said, “It is unacceptable,” and, “It is right and normal for the Pope to call for peace and condemn all forms of war.”
In response, President Trump expressed strong displeasure. He said, “The truly unacceptable person is Prime Minister Meloni herself,” adding, “She doesn’t care whether Iran has nuclear weapons or not, or whether Italy gets wiped out in two minutes if the opportunity arises.” He further stated, “The Pope does not understand the situation at all and has no idea what is happening, so he should not comment on the war.”
The Rift Began with Trump’s Airstrikes on Iran...Meloni Says ‘Violation of International Law’
Until now, President Trump and Prime Minister Meloni had shown a friendly relationship. President Trump had praised Prime Minister Meloni as a “great leader,” and Meloni was the only European leader to attend President Trump’s inauguration in January last year. However, as the head of Italy, which encompasses the Vatican City-the center of Catholicism-it is interpreted that she placed more importance on her relationship with the Pope, even at the cost of a strained relationship with President Trump.
Recently, as the Pope strongly criticized the war with Iran, President Trump claimed, “I do not want a Pope who thinks it is acceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons,” and, “If I were not in the White House, Leo would not be in the Vatican.” He also posted an AI-generated image that appeared to compare himself to Jesus, but after facing widespread criticism for “blasphemy,” he explained it was “my appearance as a doctor” and deleted the post. However, he refused to apologize to the Pope and continued his criticism.
The Pope said, “My criticism of the ‘delusion of omnipotence’ is not meant to attack President Trump or anyone else,” and, “To equate my words with what President Trump intended to do is a misunderstanding of the message of the Gospel.” He added, “I will not participate in arguments,” but also stated, “I will never avoid the work of seeking ways for everyone to find peace and reconciliation and to avoid war.” He further remarked, “I am not at all afraid of The Trump Administration.”
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