Melania accompanies Trump on her birthday to pay respects at Francis’s funeral

Respect for the pope found America’s Catholic first lady in Rome for a “working birthday” as she accompanied the president to the papal funeral.

Saturday morning from St. Peter’s Square, cardinals and other consecrated religious dignitaries and laity gathered together as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the Requiem Mass for Pope Francis. Included among the faithful was the veiled First Lady Melania Trump who spent her 55th birthday bidding farewell to the 266th pontiff.

“She’s going to have a great birthday. She’s got a working birthday,” President Donald Trump had told reporters before departing Washington, D.C. for Italy Friday evening. “I’ll take her for dinner on the Boeing. I’ll take her for dinner on Air Force One.”

After leaving the U.S. Ambassador’s residence, the first couple were seen within St. Peter’s Basilica paying their respects to the Holy Father ahead of the Mass in a moment received with gratitude on social media that they were the representatives for the United States at the solemn occasion.

NOW: President Trump and First Lady Melania pay their respects to Pope Francis at the Vatican

I’m so freaking grateful to have these two representing us on the world stage pic.twitter.com/0dbTwRaLd9

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 26, 2025

Thereafter, the Trumps proceeded to their front row seats where they were joined by other world leaders and officials who greeted them with smiles and warm handshakes ahead of the Mass.

Notables in attendance included Argentinian President Javier Milei, representing Francis’ home country, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The solemnity of the event had not stopped supporters of the first lady from honoring her birthday and commenting on her all black ensemble completed with a cross around her neck.

.@POTUS and @FLOTUS stand alongside world leaders at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square: pic.twitter.com/NAMwuUQ3Vi

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 26, 2025

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump speaking with another guest today at the funeral for Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/img086nCfU

— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) April 26, 2025

May the Pope rest in peace.

God Bless Melania, her faith is like a beacon to us all. Powerful and soothing.

— MSCasey (@Seethemscatter2) April 26, 2025

Also in attendance were self-styled Catholic former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden, who were seated several rows back from the Trumps, in a row behind dignitaries from the Middle East.

When asked about whether or not he would be meeting with Biden while in Rome, the president had expressed surprise at the attendance and remarked, “It’s not high on my list. It’s really not.”

However, Trump did make clear just before midnight in Italy that business was on the agenda, “Just landed in Rome. A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”

Hours later, the president was spotted inside the basilica seated face to face with Zelenskyy who had located a dress shirt and tie for the occasion.

When people ask how legitimate is the influence of the Papacy on Geopolitical Issues…

Point to this photo, taken inside St Peter’s Basilica. pic.twitter.com/Y7sOQWjsXj

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) April 26, 2025

Though the funeral and foreign affairs were the focus, Saturday’s birthday for the first lady was an improvement from the year prior, when she had spent the day in Florida while her husband was in a New York City courthouse contending with lawfare.

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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