Donald Trump Sparks Backlash Over Pope Francis Funeral Comment<\/strong><\/p>\n Donald Trump has never been known for subtlety, and his latest comments are no exception. As the world prepares to say goodbye to Pope Francis this Saturday, the former U.S. president stirred controversy\u2014not by announcing he would attend the funeral, but by how<\/em> he said it.<\/p>\n Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: \u201cMelania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!\u201d<\/em> The tone struck many as oddly upbeat, igniting criticism across social media. One user wrote, \u201cWho looks forward to a funeral?\u201d<\/em> while another quipped, \u201cHe thinks he\u2019s going to Coachella.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Trump also offered condolences online: \u201cRest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him,\u201d<\/em> and called for U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in the Pope\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n Trump and Pope Francis had a rocky relationship. Though Trump praised him in 2013, their differences on immigration and social justice deepened over time. In 2016, the Pope criticized Trump\u2019s border wall plan; Trump shot back, calling it \u201cdisgraceful.\u201d<\/p>\n The two met in 2017, but tensions remained through Trump\u2019s presidency and beyond. Even in his second term, Pope Francis condemned Trump\u2019s immigration policies as lacking compassion.<\/p>\n Vice President JD Vance, a devout Catholic, offered a more emotional tribute, recalling his final meeting with the ailing Pontiff and sharing a favorite homily from the pandemic era.<\/p>\n Despite their ideological clashes, Trump and Melania will attend the funeral\u2014his first foreign trip since returning to office.<\/p>\n The funeral will be held Saturday, April 26, at 10 AM in St. Peter\u2019s Square. Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as he once wished.<\/p>\n Was Trump\u2019s tone inappropriate\u2014or is his presence what really counts? Let us know your thoughts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Donald Trump Sparks Backlash Over Pope Francis Funeral Comment Donald Trump has never been known for subtlety, and his latest comments are no exception. As the world prepares to say goodbye to Pope Francis this Saturday, the former U.S. president stirred controversy\u2014not by announcing he would attend the funeral, but by how he said it….<\/p>\n