Trump will pay his respects to a pope who publicly and pointedly disagreed with him on some issues
President Donald Trump will be among more than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries attending today’s funeral for Pope Francis, where he’ll personally pay his respects to the Roman Catholic leader who pointedly disagreed with him on a variety of issues.
Trump told reporters he was going to the funeral “out of respect” for the pontiff.
The President and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Rome late yesterday for the service at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on today morning. Pope Francis will be laid to rest during a private burial at St. Mary Major Basilica outside the Vatican’s walls.
Pope Francis sharply disagreed with Mr. Trump’s approach on issues including immigration, the treatment of migrants and climate change. The Argentine pontiff and the American President sparred early in their relationship over immigration. In 2016, Pope Francis, alluding to then-candidate Mr. Trump and his campaign slogan of “Build the wall,” called anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants “ not Christian.” Mr. Trump said the comment was “disgraceful.”
But after Pope Francis’ death, the Republican President praised him as a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.” Mr. Trump also directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in Francis’ honour.
– AP
