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Melania Trump, the former First Lady of the United States and the first practicing Catholic to hold the role in decades, is set to return to the Vatican alongside former President Donald Trump to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 — a date that also coincides with her birthday.
The visit brings back memories of their first trip abroad as President and First Lady in 2017, where Melania described her meeting with Pope Francis as an experience she would “never forget.” During that memorable encounter, she brought rosary beads for the pontiff to bless and publicly confirmed her Catholic faith, a moment widely reported by the media. “Today’s visit with His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex is one I’ll never forget. I was humbled by the honor. Blessings to all,” Melania shared on Twitter at the time.
Melania’s meeting was especially historic, as she became the first Catholic First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy, who similarly met the Pope in 1962 dressed in a traditional black dress and mantilla. During her 2017 visit, Melania also reached out to Pope Francis requesting a visit to the pediatric unit at Bambino Gesu Hospital, following in the footsteps of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa.
As Donald and Melania Trump prepare to return to the Vatican, it is worth noting the complex relationship that has existed between Trump and Pope Francis. Before his presidency, Trump criticized the Pope’s modesty and political stances, and Francis, in turn, questioned Trump’s Christian values. Nevertheless, during their official meeting in 2017, Trump presented Pope Francis with a boxed set of Martin Luther King Jr.’s writings and shared a cordial moment.
More recently, Vice President JD Vance visited Pope Francis just before the pontiff’s death, even as the Pope remained openly critical of Trump-era immigration policies. Despite past tensions, the Trumps’ upcoming attendance at the funeral signifies a moment of respect and reflection on the life and influence of Pope Francis.
