Donald and Melania Trump face backlash over ‘heartless’ post about Pope Francis’ funeral

On social media, the President of the United States and the First Lady have been subjected to criticism for a post that they made.

Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, and President Donald Trump have come under fire for a post that they made about the funeral of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21st, was remembered by the Vatican’s Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a heartfelt statement:

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, returned to the embrace of the Father.”

Throughout his remarkable life, Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of the Lord and his beloved flock.

“He guided us to live the Gospel’s values with unwavering faith, courage, and a boundless love for all—especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized among us.”

Following the confirmation of Pope Francis’ passing, a nine-day period of mourning has officially begun. His funeral is set for Saturday, April 26, the same day the Church will commence the process of selecting his successor.

Pope Francis’ death, caused by a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, has sparked a flood of tributes from across the globe.

However, a statement shared by U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump has sparked some controversy online. On his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump announced that he and Melania would be attending the Pope’s funeral in Rome, adding, “We are looking forward to being there, and our presence will be anticipated.”

This message has been met with mixed reactions, as many found the phrasing of “looking forward” to the funeral to be tone-deaf given the somber occasion.

The comment has left many individuals taken aback, with some expressing disbelief. One person wrote, “Who looks forward to attending a funeral? What a horrible way to phrase it.”

Another commenter remarked, “No one looks forward to attending a funeral. Funerals are solemn occasions, filled with grief as people remember and honor the deceased.”

A third person added, “It’s completely odd that you would say you’re ‘looking forward’ to a funeral. Nobody says that.”

A fourth individual criticized the statement as insensitive, writing, “Donald Trump announcing that he and Melania are looking forward to attending Pope Francis’ funeral is a callous act.”

The phrasing has sparked significant backlash, with many finding it an inappropriate expression for such a somber occasion.

Tyla has made efforts to obtain a comment from The White House regarding the situation.

Meanwhile, the funeral arrangements for the late Pope Francis have been officially announced. A mass will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM local time, with the dean of the College of Cardinals presiding over the ceremony.

In addition, the Vatican has made Pope Francis’ final will and testament public, revealing his personal preferences for his burial.

The process of selecting the next Bishop of Rome, known as a papal conclave, is expected to take between 15 and 20 days. While several potential candidates have been suggested, the official announcement of the new Pope will not be made until the conclave concludes.

The confirmation of the new Bishop of Rome is eagerly awaited, though no official details will be shared until the process is complete.