Donald Trump has admitted why he decided to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this morning – and it has very little to do with the late pontiff himself.
The US president is among the world leaders to have travelled to Rome, joining the likes of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William. More than 200,000 people have also crowded into St Peter’s Square to show their respects to the Pope, who passed away on Monday. Whilst on his way to the service in Rome alongside wife Melania, Trump told reporters on Air Force One why he felt he had to make the journey.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it has little to do with the church – and more to do with who helped him once again attain the presidency. Trump said: “I just thought it was out of respect.
“I won the Catholic vote and I think that’s the first time that’s ever happened where a Republican won the vote, but I won it by a lot. I have a great relationship with the Catholics, very simple.
“But I won the Catholic vote, 56% of the vote. I don’t know why we didn’t get more actually. But we did well with the Catholic vote. My relationship is very good therefore I think it’s appropriate [that I attend the funeral].”
One person said online: “What an embarrassment this felon is representing our country at the Pope’s funeral.”
Another said: “DJT attending Pope Francis’ funeral not to honor the Pope but, because of his slight majority from Catholic voters and, yet again, he’s surprised he didn’t win a greater majority. It’s all about him.”
Earlier today many people accused the president of showing “disrespect” to the late Pope with his choice of outfit. While most have chosen to wear traditional black for the funeral – including his wife Melania who has matched it with a veil – the president wore a blue suit for the service.
One said on social media: “Why isn’t Trump wearing a black suit? Such disrespect.” Another said on X: “Respect? He’s not even wearing a black suit. At least Melania is attending the funeral in all black including a modest black veil. Wishing a real bad sunburn on his bald combover.”
Proceedings began at 10am local time (9am BST) with the service taking place at St Peter’s Basilica before a procession moves the Pope’s body to St Mary Major, a basilica in central Rome the late Pontiff visited frequently during his life. He has requested to be buried in a tomb inside the basilica – which while grand is markedly smaller than the grottoes beneath St Peter’s where 91 of his predecessors are buried – while his friends watch on.
In line with his wishes, Francis will be buried in a simple wooden coffin, abandoning the traditional triple-casket arrangement.
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