Donald Trump Sparks Outrage With Bizarre Comment Ahead of Pope Francis’ Funeral
Donald Trump has never been known for subtlety — and true to form, he’s once again making headlines in the most unexpected way.
As the world prepares to mourn the passing of Pope Francis this Saturday, the former U.S. president stirred up controversy with a statement that left many stunned. While offering condolences isn’t unusual for world leaders, it was Trump’s delivery that set social media ablaze.
Taking to his platform, Truth Social, Trump posted:
“Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”
He followed it up with a call for U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff, describing it as a sign of respect for “the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis.”
But it wasn’t just the sentiment — it was the style, the tone, and, for many, the audacity that sparked immediate backlash.
A Complicated History
While Trump’s tribute may have seemed heartfelt, his relationship with Pope Francis has been anything but smooth.
Their interactions began on a surprisingly positive note. Back in 2013, before his political rise, Trump tweeted:
“The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me, which probably explains why I like him so much!”
It was classic Trump — part praise, part self-promotion, and unmistakably bold.
But that mutual admiration didn’t last. As global events unfolded and their values clashed, the warmth between them cooled, eventually giving way to a relationship that could best be described as… frosty.
Now, with the world watching and mourning a spiritual leader, Trump’s latest comments have reignited debate — once again putting him at the center of a storm he may have helped create.
Trump’s “Tone-Deaf” Tribute to Pope Francis Sparks Outrage as Funeral Approaches
Donald Trump has never shied away from controversy — and as the world prepares to say goodbye to Pope Francis, the former president is once again at the center of it all.
As global leaders mourn the death of Pope Francis, Trump’s statement of condolence quickly turned into a viral moment for all the wrong reasons. What should have been a solemn tribute became a social media firestorm — not because of what he said, but how he said it.
Posting to Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”
He also called for U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff, a symbolic gesture to honor “the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis.”
But eyebrows were raised when Trump added:
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
Social Media Reacts — and Not Kindly
Almost immediately, X (formerly Twitter) lit up with disbelief.
“He thinks he’s going to Coachella,” one user wrote.
“Who looks forward to a funeral?” asked another.
A third post summed it up: “‘We look forward to being there’ — bold choice of words for a funeral. Most people mourn the Pope, not pencil it in like it’s a wine tasting in Vatican City.”
Critics called the statement tone-deaf and self-centered — another example of Trump turning a global moment of mourning into a personal headline.
A Relationship Marked by Clashes
The awkward farewell caps off a complicated and often combative relationship between Trump and the Pope.
Though it began with flattery — in 2013 Trump tweeted, “The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me” — things quickly soured. As their global profiles rose, so did the ideological divide between them.
One of the most notable clashes came in 2016, when Pope Francis condemned Trump’s plans for a border wall, stating,
“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”
Trump fired back, calling the remarks “disgraceful,” and insisted no religious leader should question another’s faith.
A Tense Meeting at the Vatican
Despite their public disagreements, the two met in person in 2017 during Trump’s first term. Trump later said,
“He is something. We had a fantastic meeting.”
But the photo op didn’t erase the deeper tensions.
When Trump returned to the presidency in 2025, Pope Francis didn’t hold back. He openly condemned renewed deportation policies, calling them a “disgrace” and warning that any approach “built on force rather than human dignity begins badly and will end badly.”
Others Pay Tribute — With Grace
While Trump’s remarks drew criticism, others in Washington struck a more reflective tone.
Vice President JD Vance — a devout Catholic who met with the Pope shortly before his passing — posted on X:
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
He recalled their final meeting, noting the Pope’s fragile health but praising a message he gave early in the COVID-19 pandemic:
“It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
Final Farewell
Pope Francis’ funeral is set for Saturday, April 26 at 10 AM local time in St. Peter’s Square. Following the public ceremony, his body will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he once expressed a wish to be buried.
Trump and Melania are confirmed to attend — making this not only a moment of global mourning, but also Trump’s first official foreign visit of his second term in office.
What Do You Think?
Was Trump’s wording simply a misstep, or does it reflect a deeper disconnect? Is it more important that he shows up to pay his respects — or should how he says things matter just as much?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. 👇
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