Rome, April 14 -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has doubled down on her criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, labelling his recent remarks regarding Pope Leo as "unacceptable" and reaffirming the necessity of religious independence from political interference.

In a candid exchange with reporters, Meloni expressed firm solidarity with Pope Leo, signalling a rare public rift between the Italian leadership and the Trump administration.

The friction follows a series of controversial statements from the US President directed at the pontiff, which have sparked diplomatic ripples across Europe.

Addressing questions by journalists, she said, "Well, I think what I said is what I think. That the statements, in particular about the po...