Donald Trump has revealed his reason for attending the funeral of Pope Francis this morning, stating that it was primarily out of respect for the Catholic voters who supported him during the presidential election. The US president, along with other world leaders like Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William, traveled to Rome to pay their respects to the late pontiff, who passed away recently. Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, expressed his gratitude for the strong relationship he has with the Catholic community, citing his significant support from Catholic voters in the election.
Despite criticisms online regarding his choice of outfit for the funeral service, where most attendees wore traditional black attire, including Melania who wore a black veil, Trump opted for a blue suit. Social media users expressed disappointment over his attire, deeming it disrespectful compared to the expected solemn dress code for such occasions.
The funeral proceedings began at St Peter’s Basilica, followed by a procession to transfer the Pope’s body to St Mary Major, a basilica in central Rome where the late Pontiff had frequented. In accordance with Pope Francis’ wishes for a simple burial, he will be interred in a modest wooden coffin, departing from the usual elaborate triple-casket arrangement.
The funeral service drew a large crowd, with over 200,000 people gathering in St Peter’s Square to honor the late Pope’s memory. Despite differing opinions on Trump’s attendance and attire, the event remained a solemn and significant occasion for those in attendance.