Trump Arrives In Rome To Honor Pope Francis At Historic Funeral

President Donald Trump has touched down in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, a solemn event that underscores his leadership on the international stage. On Saturday morning, Trump will join tens of thousands of mourners in Vatican City, marking his first official foreign trip of his second term a powerful reminder of America's rightful place at the center of world affairs.

Pope Francis passed away just six days ago at the age of 88, following a stroke and heart failure. Since then, more than 150,000 people have visited St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects, according to Italian officials. Trump's attendance contrasts sharply with the weak leadership America has suffered under the Biden administration, which mishandled previous opportunities to represent the U.S. abroad.

Some key points about the event:

• Trump becomes only the second sitting U.S. president to attend a papal funeral, following George W. Bush’s visit for Pope John Paul II in 2005.

• Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush will not be in attendance, showcasing a clear divide between today's active leadership and yesterday's political relics.

• Joe Biden, despite his Catholic background, will attend but his presence has become more of an afterthought than a symbol of leadership, a sad reflection of how far American prestige has fallen under Democrat rule.

The funeral Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re at 10 a.m. local time. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will depart Rome shortly after the ceremony concludes, exemplifying the dignified and efficient diplomacy America sorely needs.

The Vatican expects nearly 200,000 attendees at the funeral, an extraordinary turnout that echoes Pope Francis’ global influence. Other world leaders in attendance will include Argentine President Javier Milei, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Yet, none will command the kind of presence that President Trump does on the world stage.

Pope Francis’ funeral will break from traditional Vatican ceremonies:

• He will be buried in a simple wooden coffin, foregoing the elaborate multi-coffin tradition of his predecessors.

• Instead of St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis chose to be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the first pope in over three centuries to do so.

• His final resting place will carry only the humble inscription "Franciscus," reflecting his call for simplicity, in stark contrast to the vanity and theatrics we too often see in modern political and religious elites.

Unlike John Paul II’s three-hour funeral, Francis’ ceremony is expected to stretch over four hours, a lengthy tribute befitting his unique papacy. The faithful will be allowed to visit his tomb starting Sunday, as the Vatican begins a nine-day mourning period before the College of Cardinals convenes to elect a new pope.

At a time when America's influence has been diminished by weak Democratic leadership, Trump's attendance at this historic funeral is a clear message to the world: America is ready to lead again.

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