President Donald Trump announced Monday that he and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, following the Vatican’s confirmation of the pontiff’s death at age 88 on Easter Monday.
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” Trump wrote in a message posted to Truth Social. “We look forward to being there!”
In another post, he wrote, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” offering condolences on behalf of himself and the nation.
He died peacefully in Vatican City in the early hours of Easter Monday, surrounded by senior clergy and aides.
The Vatican released a brief statement early Monday morning confirming that Pope Francis had passed away after a prolonged decline in health, which included a recent hospitalization for pneumonia. The Argentine-born pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, becoming the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the role.
In recent months, concern for Pope Francis’s health intensified. In late March, he was hospitalized for what the Vatican described as a “life-threatening bout of pneumonia,” remaining under intensive care for over a month. Despite his fragile condition, the Pope made a surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and healthcare workers earlier this month, in what is now considered his final public act of service.
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a papacy defined by his focus on climate advocacy, defense of migrants, and outreach to “marginalized” communities. His leadership also sparked internal debate within the Church over traditional doctrine and progressive reform.
The Holy See announced preparations for a papal conclave, a sacred and ancient process by which cardinals from around the world will gather in strict seclusion to select the next pope. The conclave is expected to commence within the next two weeks, in accordance with Catholic tradition.
While President Trump and Pope Francis had public disagreements during Trump’s first term — particularly regarding immigration and nationalism — both men maintained a degree of diplomatic respect. Pope Francis previously criticized Trump’s border policies as “not Christian,” while Trump questioned the Pope’s understanding of national security.
Leaders from around the world are expected to attend Pope Francis’s funeral, which will take place in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday. Security in Rome has already begun to ramp up in anticipation of the historic event.
