Donald Trump has never been one to mince words.
And as the world prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis this Saturday, the former U.S. president managed to stir controversy once again.
In a statement that quickly ignited backlash across social media, Trump announced his plans to attend the Pope’s funeral — but it wasn’t the announcement that made headlines. It was the way he said it. 👇🏻
Like many world leaders, Donald Trump was quick to offer his condolences following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The U.S. president shared a brief statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, writing: “Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”
Trump also took to Truth Social to announce that U.S. flags should be flown at half-staff, calling it a gesture of respect in honor of “the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis.”
Inside their relationship
Donald Trump and Pope Francis didn’t always see eye to eye — and while their relationship eventually turned frosty, it actually started off on a surprisingly positive note.
Back in 2013, long before Trump entered the White House, he had nothing but praise for the newly elected pontiff. “The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me, which probably explains why I like him so much!” Trump tweeted in December of that year. It was classic Trump — equal parts compliment and self-promotion.
But the honeymoon didn’t last.
As their public profiles grew, so did their differences. What began with flattery soon unraveled into one of the more unusual and tense dynamics between a U.S. president and the head of the Catholic Church.
Trump and Pope Francis time on the world stage was marked by deep ideological rifts, especially around immigration and social justice.
Back in 2016, the Pope famously rebuked Trump’s border wall plans, saying: “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” Trump, in typical fashion, fired back, calling it “disgraceful” for a religious leader to question someone’s faith.
Face-to-face meeting
In 2017, the pair met face-to-face during Trump’s visit to the Vatican. Reflecting on the encounter, Trump said, “He is something. We had a fantastic meeting.”
But the tensions didn’t fade. During Trump’s presidency and again after his return to office in 2025, the two remained divided. Pope Francis condemned the renewed push for mass deportations, calling them a “disgrace” and warning that any policy “built on force rather than human dignity begins badly and will end badly.”
While Trump kept his farewell short, others were more reflective. Vice President JD Vance, a devout Catholic who met with the Pope shortly before his death, shared a heartfelt tribute on X: “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
Vance recalled their final meeting, noting the Pontiff was clearly unwell, but said he’d always remember the Pope for a specific message: “I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
A wine tasting in Vatican City?
Despite their ideological differences, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, will attend the Pope’s funeral — a visit that also marks the president’s first foreign trip of his second term in office.
But it wasn’t just that Trump announced he’d attend the funeral—it was how he said it that really turned heads. Here’s what he wrote: “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
The internet wasted no time reacting, especially on X (formerly Twitter), where users slammed the U.S. president for being tone deaf and out of touch. Reactions ranged from sarcastic jokes to harsh criticism. One user quipped, “He thinks he’s going to Coachella,” while another asked bluntly, “Who looks forward to a funeral?”
”We look forward to being there” Bold choice of words for a funeral. Most people mourn the Pope, not pencil it in like it’s a wine tasting in Vatican City,” another user on X wrote.
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square.
After the public ceremony, his body will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood — the same place where Francis once said he wanted to be laid to rest.
What do you think of the president’s choice of words? Was it inappropriate, or is it more important that he actually attends and shows his respect? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
