President Trump To Attend Funeral Of Pope Francis In Rome

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, which will likely take place in Rome this month.

“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” the president shared in a Truth Social post on Monday afternoon. “We look forward to being there!”

It’s not immediately clear when the funeral will be: a pope is typically mourned for nine days while the College of Cardinals comes together to pray. After the pope’s funeral takes place, the conclave of cardinals will elect a new pope.

His announcement came after he ordered federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis.

The U.S. flag flies at half staff near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in honor of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,” Trump wrote in a separate post.

He added: “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

The president spoke of the pope at the White House Easter Egg roll, where he told attendees of Pope Francis: “He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world.”

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced on Monday that the pope had died at 7:35 that morning, stating: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”

The pope’s body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, the Vatican said Monday, so that “the faithful may pray before his mortal remains.”

“The translation of the Holy Father’s mortal remains to the Vatican Basilica, for the veneration of all the faithful, may take place on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, according to the arrangements that shall be determined and communicated tomorrow, following the first Congregation of the Cardinals,” said the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni.