Overview

• Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, as confirmed by the Vatican on April 21, 2025.
• President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have announced their intention to attend the funeral in Rome, though the exact date has not yet been set.
• Trump posted a condolence message on Truth Social, expressing respect for the late pope and offering prayers for those mourning his loss.
• The president has directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-mast on public buildings nationwide to honor Pope Francis’s memory.
• Despite past tensions over immigration policies, Trump’s gestures reflect diplomatic respect for the late pontiff, who had openly criticized him during his presidency.