Trump and the First Lady at Pope Francis' Funeral, and the Vatican Meeting With Zelenskyy (April 26, 2025)

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at 88 [1]. The same day, President Donald Trump said he would go to Rome. “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We look forward to being there!” [2]

He also ordered the flag lowered. “As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Trump’s proclamation said, “I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds” [3].

The video above shows President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who is Roman Catholic, with world leaders at the funeral at the Vatican on April 26, 2025 [1][4].

”Despite Contentious Past”

Trump went even though the two men had clashed. In 2016, Francis criticized Trump’s plan for a border wall. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” the pope said, according to an Associated Press translation cited by Fox News [2].

Trump shot back at the time. “If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened,” he said [2].

The two later met at the Apostolic Palace in May 2017, Fox News noted [2].

The World Came to Rome

“Some 130 delegations confirmed they will travel to Rome for the funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica, including roughly 50 heads of state and at least another 10 world leaders,” Fox News reported. The network said about 200,000 people were expected to attend [1].

Former President Joe Biden and Jill Biden “also made the flight to Rome,” Fox reported. Vice President JD Vance, “who visited the pope on the eve of his death,” was not expected to attend [1].

The White House press pool in St. Peter’s Square reported that Trump and the first lady were in the front row and that the Bidens were “four rows essentially directly behind POTUS and FLOTUS.” The pool also noted that “POTUS and FLOTUS were spotted holding hands at one point.” [8]

Argentina’s conservative president, Javier Milei, also made the trip despite past clashes with his countryman. “Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor,” Milei said [1].

The Meeting

The trip also produced what Fox News called a “viral meeting at the Vatican” [5]. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met face to face for the first time since their February clash in the Oval Office [4].

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the leaders had “a very productive discussion,” Fox News reported [4].

“We discussed a lot one on one,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results” [5].

After landing in Rome, Trump had pushed both sides. “A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off,’” he wrote on Truth Social. “Stop the bloodshed, NOW” [4].

He had pressed both leaders that week. “On Thursday, Trump demanded Putin ‘stop’ strikes on Kyiv and said he was ‘not happy’ with the Kremlin for continuing attacks on Ukraine,” Fox News reported. A day earlier, he “blasted Zelenskyy after he said that Ukraine would not recognize Russian control over Crimea” [4].

”Russia Is Much Bigger”

Days later, Trump said what he told Zelenskyy. “I was telling him that it’s a very good thing if we can produce a deal, that you sign it, because Russia is much bigger and much stronger,” Trump said at a NewsNation town hall, Fox News reported [5].

Speaking to reporters that weekend, he was blunt about the request for weapons. “He told me that he needs more weapons, but he’s been saying that for three years,” Trump said. “We’re going to see what happens – I want to see what happens with respect to Russia. Because Russia, I’ve been surprised and disappointed – very disappointed – that they did the bombing of those places after discussions” [5].

By the Numbers

88: the pope’s age when he died [1].
130: delegations expected at the funeral [1].
50: heads of state, roughly, among them [1].
200,000: people expected to attend, Fox News reported [1].
4: days from the Vatican meeting to the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal [4][6].

What Happened Next

A deal with Ukraine. On April 30, 2025, Ukraine signed an agreement giving the United States access to its rare minerals, Fox News reported. “This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump Administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said [6].

“And, to be clear, no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine,” Bessent added [6].

An American pope. On May 8, 2025, the cardinals chose American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,” Trump wrote [7].

For Trump’s 100-day mark that same week, see HYGO News’ page on his first 100 days.