President Donald Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump are “looking forward” to attending Pope Francis’ funeral.
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” the president, 78, wrote via Truth Social on Monday, April 21. “We look forward to being there!”
Hours before confirming his attendance to the memorial services, Donald paid respects to the late pope.
“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” he wrote via Truth Social.
Pope Francis’ Official Cause of Death Revealed
Pope Francis, who has been the leader of the Catholic Church since 2013, died on Monday at age 88.
“Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta,” the Vatican announced via social media on Monday.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell also released a statement on the religious figure’s death.
“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” the statement read. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
Farrell continued: “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.”
The pope’s death came hours after he appeared on the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony on Sunday, April 20, to wish the crowd gathering at the historic Italian landmark a happy Easter. That same day, Vice President JD Vance, who converted to catholicism six years ago, met with Pope Francis. Vance was one of the last political leaders to meet with the pope before his passing.
Celebrities React to Pope Francis’ Death: Read Statements From Stars
Later on Monday, the New York Times reported that Pope Francis’ cause of death was a cerebral stroke, followed by a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”
Prior to his death, Pope Francis was hospitalized for bronchitis back in February. After being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the pope began receiving care for double pneumonia.
Details of Pope Francis’ memorial service have yet to be revealed. However, it is expected that faith leaders, international officials and additional mourners will visit the Vatican in the coming weeks to pay their respects for the late pope. The Holy See Press Office stated that a public viewing could potentially begin on Wednesday, April 23, per Axios.
