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Trump to Attend Pope Francis’s Funeral Amid Complicated History
In a recent announcement, former President Donald Trump revealed that he and First Lady Melania Trump will attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican. This decision comes shortly after news of the Pope’s passing, despite the somewhat strained relationship that Trump had with the pontiff during his presidency.
Papal funerals typically occur within four to six days of the Pope’s death, suggesting that Francis’s funeral is likely to be held before the end of the month. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that the General Congregation of Cardinals will convene Tuesday morning to finalize the date for the ceremony.
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social. “We look forward to being there!”
A Shift in Funerary Tradition
This upcoming funeral will differ significantly from past papal funerals, as Pope Francis had previously made adjustments to the traditional rites.
The relationship between Trump and Pope Francis has been notably complicated, defined by their contrasting worldviews and occasional public disagreements. During the earlier stages of Trump’s 2016 campaign, the Pope openly criticized his proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, labeling it “not Christian.”
Ideological Divides
During a flight to Mexico in 2016, Francis remarked, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” This criticism sparked a contentious response from Trump, who deemed it inappropriate for a religious leader to question someone’s faith.
In response to the Pope’s earlier comments on immigration, Trump suggested in a statement, “If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened.”
Global Perspectives and Additional Critiques
Throughout his papacy, Francis has emphasized the dangers of rising nationalism, implicitly targeting Trump’s “America First” policy. Additionally, the Pope has been a vocal advocate for addressing climate change, a stance that contrasts sharply with Trump’s administration, which withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accords.
Trump, while identifying as a Christian, has only met with Francis once, unlike President Joe Biden, who has had several personal meetings with the Pope during his presidency. Notably, Trump’s Vice President J.D. Vance, who is Catholic, visited Francis just before his death on Easter Sunday.
As the world reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis, reactions from leaders, including Trump, continue to highlight the diverse perspectives surrounding the late pontiff’s influence.
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