Trump’s bizarre comment on Pope Francis’ funeral sparks uproar
Trump’s bizarre comment on Pope Francis’ funeral sparks uproar
Donald Trump has never been one to mince words.
And as the world prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis this Saturday, the former U.S. president managed to stir controversy once again.
In a statement that quickly ignited backlash across social media, Trump announced his plans to attend the Pope’s funeral — but it wasn’t the announcement that made headlines. It was the way he said it. 👇🏻
Like many world leaders, Donald Trump was quick to offer his condolences following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The U.S. president shared a brief statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, writing: “Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”
Trump also took to Truth Social to announce that U.S. flags should be flown at half-staff, calling it a gesture of respect in honor of “the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis.”
Inside their relationship
Donald Trump and Pope Francis didn’t always see eye to eye — and while their relationship eventually turned frosty, it actually started off on a surprisingly positive note.
Back in 2013, long before Trump entered the White House, he had nothing but praise for the newly elected pontiff. “The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me, which probably explains why I like him so much!” Trump tweeted in December of that year. It was classic Trump — equal parts compliment and self-promotion.
But the honeymoon didn’t last.
As their public profiles grew, so did their differences. What began with flattery soon unraveled into one of the more unusual and tense dynamics between a U.S. president and the head of the Catholic Church.
Trump and Pope Francis time on the world stage was marked by deep ideological rifts, especially around immigration and social justice.
Back in 2016, the Pope famously rebuked Trump’s border wall plans, saying: “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” Trump, in typical fashion, fired back, calling it “disgraceful” for a religious leader to question someone’s faith.
