The Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) expressed "sorrow" on Monday after US President Donald Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV on his Truth social-media platform and it called for respect for the pontiff.

The CEI said it agreed with a statement by Archbishop Paul S.

Coakley, the president of the U.S.

Conference of Catholic Bishops, who said that Leo was not a politician or Trump's rival.

It stressed that Leo was "the successor of Peter, called to serve the Gospel, truth, and peace.