Roberta Metsola backs Pope Leo, invites him to address plenary session
Pontiff recently came under the attack of Donald Trump
Roberta Metsola has become the first EU leader to publicly back Pope Leo XIV following an attack by Donald Trump over his plea for peace.
The EU parliament president described the Pontiff as a "symbol of moral courage" and invited him to address a plenary.
The US president told reporters on Sunday he was "not a big fan of Pope Leo", describing the Pontiff as "a very liberal person". Trump went on to say Leo was not on the list to become Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American.
Trump even uploaded an image featuring himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick man, but later removed it following international criticism.
But in reply to questions from the media, Pope Leo said he had "no intention to debate" with Trump.
Malta's archbishop Charles Scicluna and other Catholic bishops from the US and Italy defended the Pope.
Mgr Scicluna even expressed concern with the US Ambassador to Malta over Trump's "unrestrained and unjustifiable" attack.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned Trump's criticism as "unacceptable".
On Thursday, Metsola added her voice to the support shown to the Pope, saying Leo was not only the shepherd of the Roman Catholic flock across the globe, but "a symbol of moral courage and clarity in a time where such compasses are increasingly needed".
His voice, she said, was one that Europeans listen to, appreciate and respect.
"On behalf of the European Parliament, I reached out to the Holy See to reaffirm our invitation for the Holy Father to address an upcoming plenary session of the European Parliament.
"We hope to welcome him in the near future and listen to his message for Europe."