The President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the First Lady Melania Trump confirmed this Monday that they will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who died in Rome at the age of 88. The announcement was made by the president himself through his account on Truth Social.
"Melania and I will be attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. We are looking forward to being there!" wrote Trump, sparking a wave of reactions in media and social networks worldwide.
The death of the Argentine pontiff has moved the Catholic and political world. According to the Vatican, Pope Francis passed away due to a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, a diagnosis confirmed by echocardiogram. The official statement was signed by Andrea Arcangeli, director of the Department of Health and Hygiene of the State of the City of Vatican City.
In the hours following his death, the Vatican also released the spiritual testament of the pope, written in 2022, in which he expresses his desire to be buried in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, an emblematic place he visited before and after each Apostolic Journey.
“I ask that my mortal remains rest in anticipation of the Day of Resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore”, wrote the pontiff, requesting that his grave be simple, without decoration, and with the only inscription Franciscus.
The tomb will be located between the Pauline Chapel (Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel, and it will be funded by a donation previously arranged by a benefactor, according to instructions entrusted to Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas.
Following the Vatican protocol after the death of a pontiff, this Monday the sealing of his residences was carried out, both the one he occupied in the Casa Santa Marta and the traditional papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, which Francis chose not to inhabit since his election in 2013.
The doors were sealed with red tape and wax of the same color during a ceremony that ensures the integrity of the documents and personal belongings of the deceased pope.
Francis was elected in 2013 as the 266th Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. However, the papal narrative has historically been a subject of debate.
A notable example is Stephen II, elected in 752, who died of a stroke just four days after his election and before his consecration as bishop. Over the centuries, his inclusion in official lists has varied, leading to controversies regarding the exact numbering of the popes.
It is expected that the funeral of Pope Francis will gather heads of state, religious leaders, and thousands of faithful from around the world. The confirmed participation of Donald and Melania Trump underscores the diplomatic dimension of the event.
Francisco will be remembered as the first Latin American pope and a global leader who reformed the papacy with a pastoral approach.
Frequently asked questions about the passing of Pope Francis and the funeral
How did Pope Francis die?
Pope Francis has passed away due to a stroke followed by irreversible heart failure, according to the Vatican. His death occurred at the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican, after several months of respiratory complications.
Where will Pope Francis be buried?
Pope Francis will be buried in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in accordance with his explicit wish in his spiritual testament. The pontiff requested that his tomb be simple, without decoration, and with the sole inscription "Franciscus".
Who will attend the funeral of Pope Francis?
The funeral of Pope Francis is expected to gather heads of state, religious leaders, and thousands of faithful from around the world. Donald Trump and Melania Trump have confirmed their attendance, reinforcing the diplomatic significance of the event.
What was Pope Francis' legacy?
Pope Francis will be remembered as the first Latin American pope and a global leader who reformed the papacy with a pastoral approach. His pontificate was marked by promoting a more inclusive Church that is committed to the marginalized, the environment, and the fight against sexual abuses within the institution.
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