The late Pope was critical of the Trump administration’s stance on immigration
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President Donald J. Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend the upcoming funeral of Pope Francis, he confirmed in a Truth Social Post.
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Monday, April 21. “We look forward to being there!”
Before confirming his plans to attend the funeral services, Trump additionally posted on Truth Social, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Francis died on Monday at 7:35 a.m. local time. Trump paid tribute to the late religious leader at the White House Easter Egg Roll shortly after, calling him “a very good man who loved, loved the world, and he especially loved people that were having a hard time,” CBS News reports.
“And that’s good with me,” Trump added.
Francis’ burial plans break from years of tradition. He said in his final testament that he wants to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration” and with the inscription of his papal name in Latin — “Franciscus” — according to Reuters.
No pope has been laid to rest at the site since the 17th century, when Pope Clement IX was buried there, per CBS News.
A nine-day period of mourning, known as Novendiale, has begun in honor of Francis’ death. The late pope, who was Argentinian and served as the first Latin American pontiff, was a member of the Jesuit order, an order of Catholic religious officials who choose to lead humble lives focused on the education of others and assisting marginalized groups, according to Georgetown University.
Francis died after a long struggle with double pneumonia, which was previously treated in a 38-day hospitalization. He died one day after meeting Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism six years ago. Francis was openly critical of the Trump administration, particularly Vance’s previous statements regarding immigrants.
In Francis’ Easter address, which was delivered by an aide due to the pope’s health struggles, he wrote: “How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!”
The address was delivered while Vance was still at the Vatican.
