What to Make of Meloni?

Yet Meloni maintains a cordial relationship with Pope Francis, which in turn has led to wider acceptance of her party. Though the Vatican has largely kept it quiet, they see in Meloni an ally on certain key social concerns, including abortion, pro-birth and pro-family policies, and gender issues. At least when it comes to Meloni herself, Francis has downplayed the issue of immigration. The Italian bishops are far more outspoken on the topic. They also are more critical of the recent constitutional reforms. Meloni’s response to the criticism was typical of a populist: she confused the Holy See with the Italian bishops’ conference and accused the Vatican of not being “a parliamentary democracy.”