Beyza Binnur Donmez
13 April 2026•Update: 13 April 2026
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday praised Pope Leo XIV’s peace efforts in Sudan, saying he “greatly appreciated" the pontiff's "intervention for peace" in the country.
Tajani, in a post through US social media company X, expressed his best wishes to the pontiff for his apostolic journey to Africa, and said the pope’s "authoritative words further encourage the Italian government's commitment through humanitarian missions.”
These words "represent an important contribution to achieving a ceasefire and ending the civil war after three years of fierce fighting,” he said, and added: "Let us accompany his mission with our prayers."
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump launched a sweeping attack against the pope on Sunday.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump said on his Truth Social media platform, also claiming the Church chose him to manage ties with his administration.
“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump later told reporters about why he attacked the pope.
"I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela," he said, claiming the South American country had "emptied their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country."
"Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician," Trump wrote, claiming that the pope's current trajectory "is hurting the Catholic Church."
Defending pope duty of Catholics, laity
Matteo Renzi, former Italian prime minister and senator of Florence, has more openly backlashed at the “blatant” attack against the pontiff, describing Leo as a “bridge builder.”
“Defending Leo XIV is now a duty not only for Catholics but also, and especially, for the laity. It's been centuries since such a blatant attack on the Roman Pontiff had been seen,” he said on X. “He is, in fact, a 'bridge builder,' unlike Trump, a destroyer of relationships and civilizations.”
Renzi said the “only advantage” was that “Trumps pass, popes remain,” while criticizing the lack of reaction in Italy.
He asked: “Isn't there a single Italian who waved the Maga (Make America Great Again) hat and found the courage to say: 'The White House's attack on the Vatican is simply shameful'?”
He also questioned whether Tajani would respond, asking: “Is Tajani still in Cologno Monzese reporting to his company, or can he say something?” and added: “Will (Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo) Salvini ever regain his speech?”
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri also voiced support for the pope.
He said on X that Rome stands with Pope Leo, adding: "Donald Trump's attacks on his lofty spiritual teaching and his commitment to peace are unacceptable and offend sensibilities and consciences."
"The city of Rome, uniquely linked to its Bishop, firmly reaffirms the values of respect, dialogue, and peace," Gualtieri said.
