Trump confirmed he will attend Pope Francis' funeral while he pushes for Burke

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, confirmed on Monday that he and the First Lady, Melania Trump, will attend Pope Francis's funeral in Vatican City, scheduled for the end of this week. "Melania and I will go to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. We look forward to being there!" Trump, 78, wrote on his social network Truth Social.

The confirmation came hours after the president ordered all American flags to be flown at half-staff on government buildings, military facilities, warships, and embassies, in mourning until sunset on the day of the pontiff's burial.

Francis passed away Monday morning at the age of 88 in his Vatican residence. His death has caused a wave of reactions around the world, from political leaders to religious and social figures, who praised his legacy as a symbol of humility, dialogue, and commitment to the underprivileged.

Although the exact date of the funeral has not yet been officially announced, it is expected that, following Vatican tradition, it will take place between four and six days after the death.

The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, reported that the General Congregation of Cardinals will meet this Tuesday to define the logistical details of the funeral ceremony.

In statements to the press shortly after the announcement of the death, Trump initially said he was unsure if he would attend: "We are going to be informed right now... I just have to see the schedule."

However, a few hours later he confirmed his presence, highlighting the figure of the pontiff: "He was a very good man who loved the world, and especially those who were going through difficult times. That's something I value."

Trump met Francis during his first presidential term, in May 2017, during a private audience at the Vatican in which Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump also participated. Despite that meeting, the relationship between the two leaders was marked by ideological tensions.

In 2016, during Trump's presidential campaign, Pope Francis harshly criticized his proposal to build a wall on the Mexican border, calling it "not Christian." "A person who thinks only about building walls and not bridges is not Christian," said the pontiff during a press conference in mid-flight.

Trump replied harshly, calling it "shameful" that a religious leader would question another person's faith. In a statement, he said: "If the Vatican were attacked by ISIS, the ultimate trophy of that group, the Pope would have wished and prayed that Donald Trump was president."

The differences between them also extended to issues such as nationalism, the environment, and immigration. While Francis condemned the growing nationalism in the world, an implicit criticism of Trump's "America First" slogan, the president withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change in both presidential campaigns.

Although Trump identifies as Christian, he is not Catholic. In contrast, the former Democratic president Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic, maintained a closer relationship with Pope Francis and visited him several times during his term.

Trump's current vice president, JD Vance, also Catholic, was one of the last people to see the Pope alive, during a visit on Easter Sunday, a day before the death. During that meeting, Vance expressed that he prayed for him daily, and Francis gave him several rosaries, a tie, and Easter eggs for his children.

The complete U.S. delegation to the funeral has not yet been officially announced, but it is expected to include senior officials and diplomatic representatives.

In previous papal funerals, such as John Paul II's in 2005, the United States was represented by then-President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former President George H.W. Bush, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Trump's attendance marks a gesture of institutional respect toward the figure of the leader of the Catholic Church, beyond past disagreements, at a time of global mourning for the death of the Argentine pope who led the Church with a message focused on inclusion, peace, and social commitment.

After the news of the pontiff's death became known, the American president began to push for the election of Cardinal Burke. The New York-born cardinal has been a staunch defender of policies supported by Trump.