Donald Trump’s Awkward Moments at Pope Francis’ Funeral and How Melania Stepped In

On April 21, 2025, Vatican News announced Pope Francis’s death. Since then, his funeral has been held, with the US president experiencing some awkward moments during the ceremony, only for his wife to save the day at a crucial point.

Vatican News, the official communication service of the Holy See, announced the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Alongside the announcement, they shared a photo of the pontiff, noting his birth year, 1932, and the year of his passing.

According to the death report issued by a Vatican physician, Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse within the Vatican. The report cited a cerebral stroke followed by a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse” as the causes of death.

Following the news, mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square, many holding rosaries and praying for the late pope. One mourner, wrapped in the flag of Argentina—Francis’ homeland—stood among the crowd. Others wept openly, while some gazed solemnly at the empty balcony from which Francis had blessed them just the day before.

“I am sad,” said Brigitte Thalhammer, one of the mourners. “He was very, very important.” After a collective recitation of the rosary, the crowd broke into applause in honor of the late pontiff.

Among the dignitaries attending the pope’s funeral were U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

Melania Trump’s Funeral Attendance on Her Birthday

Following the announcement of Pope Francis’s death, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a tribute on Truth Social, writing: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!” He also confirmed that he and his wife, Melania Trump, would attend the funeral.

Shortly after the news broke, Trump shared another post: “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome.”

Pope Francis’s funeral was held on April 26—an occasion that coincided with Melania Trump’s 55th birthday. Instead of a personal celebration, the former First Lady spent her milestone day in Rome, honoring the late pontiff.

Sources revealed that Melania, who is described as “religious” in private and “quiet” about her faith, felt “honored” to attend the funeral despite the solemn timing. A political insider noted that it was “not a chore for her to go to the funeral,” highlighting her personal sense of respect and duty.

A social source agreed, noting that even though it is her duty as a world leader’s spouse to show up for the service, she had “no issue” with spending her birthday morning there. The insider said, “She will make the most of her birthday in the time frame after the event.”

Melania met the first pope from Latin America in 2017 when she and her husband took their first trip abroad as first lady and president. At that time, she presented Francis with rosary beads, which were then perceived as a confirmation of her faith.

A source close to the family shared that the first lady “admired” the pope, especially for “how he was loved by so many different kinds of people.” The insider also revealed that Melania is open-minded and respects different people and their opinions, adding, “They shared a love for children and their welfare.”

The pope’s funeral was seen as a significant event for her, “a life experience few are able to share.” While attending the funeral, her husband had some awkward moments.

The Trumps joined other world leaders, monarchs, heads of state, and throngs of mourners at the square outside St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last respects. People like the British Royal Family’s Prince William, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, French President Emmanuel Macron, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy all attended.

Before the Mass, Melania and her husband stopped to view the pope’s coffin. While the first lady wore all black, including a traditional veil, her husband earned criticism for wearing a midnight blue suit to the funeral.

The 78-year-old also wore a matching tie and an American flag pin, making him stand out in the front row from the other world leaders gathered in Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square. However, he was not the only one; several other attendees also wore suits in colors other than black, including ties in shades of blue, red, pink, and more.

Despite the different looks, attendees were not necessarily breaking protocol. According to an insider, the Vatican does not list a funeral dress code on its website, so attire for the ceremony was left up to individuals.

A Vatican source said, “Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion.” Donald was not the only attendee criticized for being disrespectful because of his choice of attire.

Both former US President Joe Biden and Zelenskyy were criticized by netizens for wearing no tie and a blue tie, respectively, while Prince William wore a navy suit to the ceremony. Criticizing Donald’s look, one person shared a picture of him at the event, writing, “The only man at the Pope’s funeral wearing a blue suit.”

Although some people took issue with the dress code, others were more forgiving. One commenter praised the outfit, saying, “He looks really good!” Another netizen echoed the sentiment, asking, “He was wearing a suit—what’s the problem?”

However, critics were quick to point out perceived missteps. One questioned, “Did he even have a black suit?” while another unimpressed user laughed, noting, “He wore a blue suit at a funeral.” In response, a supporter defended the president, remarking, “I watched the funeral, and there were a lot of people in blue suits.”

Donald’s Behavior Draws Attention

Donald Trump also stood out for his behavior during the funeral. At one point, he was filmed using his mobile phone and chewing gum during the service. Melania Trump had to step in to assist him during a particular moment of the ceremony.

Melania Saves the Day

During the three-hour Catholic Mass, the congregation was invited to “offer each other a sign of peace” by shaking hands. Footage captured Donald remaining seated while those around him participated. According to forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, Melania encouraged him to join in. Hickling reported that the First Lady whispered, “You should do it,” and repeated the prompt to get him to engage.

The pair shared a prolonged handshake as Donald Trump avoided what would have been a terrible blunder. The ceremony started at 10 a.m. local time before a procession to St. Mary Major, a basilica in central Rome that the late pontiff visited frequently during his life.

The late head of the Catholic Church had asked to be buried in a tomb inside the basilica in a simple wooden coffin, abandoning the traditional triple-casket arrangement. The basilica is smaller than the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s, where 91 of his predecessors are buried.