He criticized US President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on Europe, saying the comments could destabilize a long-standing transatlantic alliance.
“The statements made about Europe, including in recent interviews, I believe try to undo what I consider to be a very important alliance today and in the future,” the Pope told reporters on Tuesday night (9), after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, near Rome.
Hours before, the Politico had published an interview with Trump, in which the president criticized European allies for their inability to achieve results, while asserting that Russia had the upper hand in the war against Ukraine.
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The pope’s comments represent the strongest indication yet of his disagreement with Trump over the future of U.S.-European relations. Both are American citizens, and although Trump has often clashed with Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, observers had hoped their shared background could help keep the US and Europe close.
Asked about Trump’s plan for Ukraine, the pope said that “unfortunately” some aspects he saw could provoke “a major change in what has been, for many, many years, a true alliance between Europe and the United States.”
Others in Europe have also been pessimistic about the future of the relationship with the US, after decades of cooperation on issues such as trade and security since the end of World War II.
“What we once called the normative West no longer exists in this form,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Berlin on Tuesday. “At most, it is still a geographic designation, but no longer a normative bond that unites us.”
Zelenski was in Rome on Tuesday to meet with the Pope and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Ukrainian leader has faced recent setbacks — at home, abroad and on the battlefield — as he tries to end the war.
Italy’s strong support for Ukraine has become more confrontational recently as funds earmarked for military aid have dwindled and tensions within Meloni’s coalition have risen.
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The Vatican emerged earlier this year as a possible venue for peace talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine, although no meetings have materialized.
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