Trump Pays Respect at Pope Francis' Funeral Despite Past Clashes

Apr 26, 2025 Kriti Keshari

Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump visited Rome to attend Pope Francis’ funeral held at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City

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Several world leaders including President Droupadi Murmu President Joe Biden President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were present at the funeral

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This is the second funeral of a pope attended by major global leaders marking a rare moment of unity at St Peter’s Basilica

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India’s President Droupadi Murmu paid tributes and Donald Trump praised Pope Francis calling him a good man who loved the world and deserved respect

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Despite their differences Trump’s attendance was a diplomatic move recognizing the Pope’s global moral influence and showing statesmanship on an international stage

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Trump avoided formal diplomatic meetings during the funeral events saying it would be disrespectful but briefly interacted with leaders like President Zelenskyy

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One major conflict arose in 2016 when Pope Francis said anyone building walls instead of bridges is not Christian targeting Trump’s US Mexico border wall plan

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Trump responded sharply calling the Pope’s comment disgraceful and warned that without strong leadership even the Vatican could be vulnerable to ISIS attacks

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Climate change and immigration policies were other friction points with Pope Francis criticizing Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord and his tough border measures

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