Trump Will Travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ Funeral

President Donald Trump announced Monday that he and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to Rome later this month to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, marking a significant moment in both international diplomacy and faith relations.

“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, just hours after ordering all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff in the pope’s honor.

The funeral date has yet to be finalized, though Vatican protocol traditionally includes nine days of mourning following the death of a pope. The College of Cardinals is currently preparing for ceremonies at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful will soon be allowed to pay their respects.

Trump’s swift decision to honor the late pontiff despite ideological differences in life has been praised as a gesture of presidential dignity and international statesmanship.

• Earlier on Monday, Trump issued an executive order mandating that flags at federal and state buildings, military posts, and U.S. embassies remain at half-staff until the day of interment.

• The pope’s body will be transferred to the Vatican Basilica on the morning of April 23, according to the Holy See Press Office.

• Vice President JD Vance is expected to join the U.S. delegation, continuing his strong engagement with Catholic leaders worldwide.

While Pope Francis had publicly criticized aspects of Trump’s immigration policy, including the administration’s deportation efforts, Trump nonetheless emphasized respect and reverence in his public statements.

At the White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump said, “He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world.”

This isn’t just a diplomatic trip it’s a symbolic moment that underscores Trump’s growing connection with America’s religious communities. Despite not being Catholic, Trump has gained widespread support among Catholic voters and clergy, particularly due to his unwavering stance against anti-Christian bias, religious persecution, and abortion extremism.

In February, Vice President Vance called Trump “an incredibly good president for Catholics” during a speech at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. Now, as Trump prepares to attend one of the most consequential religious ceremonies of the decade, that relationship only deepens.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's Camerlengo, described Francis as a man whose life was “dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church,” noting his efforts to uplift “the poorest and most marginalized.”

As the world prepares to mourn and the College of Cardinals readies for a new papal election, America will be represented at the highest level not by political platitudes, but by a president who recognizes the weight of faith on the global stage.

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