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Yes, "salsa di pomodoro" literally translates to "tomato sauce". But to Italians this is a specific sauce prepared the same way everywhere. I can understand, though, how it can be interpreted to be any sauce with tomatoes.

In the states calling a sauce "tomato sauce" means different things to different people...there's no standard, except that it has tomatoes. Yes, it may be tweeked a little to suit the family's tastes or even by region but in general "salsa di pomodoro" has the same ingredients and is made the same way, it means the same thing to everyone. It's made of simple, fresh ingredients like olive oil, garlic, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and salt (no meat, then it becomes a sugo or ragu) and simmers for a short period of time.

I'm just speaking from my background. Parents are italian, spent many summers in Italy, went to school there, etc.

So I say call tomato sauce whatever you like, when you're here in the states. Just don't call it salsa di pomodoro if it's not.