The funeral services for Pope Francis commenced today following his passing on April 21, drawing hundreds of thousands to St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Notable attendees included Prince William, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside former US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
During the event, Trump was seen making a comment to Melania, who reportedly urged him to be more courteous. Participants were encouraged to shake hands as a “sign of peace,” and a lip-reading expert suggested that Melania prompted Trump to engage in this gesture, to which he responded affirmatively.
Trump faced criticism for wearing a blue suit instead of the traditional black, which is customary for such solemn occasions. His remarks to the media, describing Pope Francis as “just a good man who loved the world,” were also deemed disrespectful by some, especially as he mentioned his plans to meet with other foreign leaders during the funeral.
Social media users reacted with disbelief at Trump’s focus on trade discussions amidst the funeral, with one Twitter user expressing concern that he might attempt to negotiate deals during such a significant event. The juxtaposition of the solemn occasion with Trump’s comments highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding his presidency and approach to international relations.
