Trump ally Meloni hits back Pope Leo attacks

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has again defended Pope Leo after escalating attacks from President Donald Trump. Right-wing Meloni, who is normally an ally of the US leader, rebuked Trump on Monday but again spoke out during a visit to Verona on Tuesday (April 14) after widespread outrage across Italy. "Frankly, I would not feel at ease in a society where religious leaders do what political leaders tell them to do; let's say, not in this part of the world," she told reporters. Trump, responding to Meloni’s Monday comments, told the Corriere della Sera he was “shocked by her. I thought she was brave, but I was wrong.” Trump has repeatedly clashed with the American pontiff, most recently over the Iran war.