Meloni responds to Trump criticism: Courage means expressing your opinion

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni kept her composure in the face of sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, saying in remarks on the sidelines of a furniture fair in Milan that she was not "disappointed" by his words, as she had expected them.

The dispute stems from Trump’s scathing criticism of Pope Leo XIV, which Meloni described as "unacceptable."

Trump then accused her of lacking courage and declared that he was "shocked" by her, adding that she was "no longer the same person."

Meloni stressed that she had merely expressed her opinion, adding: "I believe courage means expressing your opinion even when you disagree, and that friendship means expressing your opinion even when you disagree with the other person."

She added: "This does not change my steadfast support for Western unity, nor does it alter relations between Italy and the United States. However, I am someone who is used to expressing her opinion."

In response to a question, Meloni also said she had not spoken with the US president recently.