Francis died on Monday, April 21
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects to the late Pope Francis at his funeral at Vatican City on Saturday, April 26.
The couple joined other world leaders as well as monarchs, heads of state and thousands of mourners at the square outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Melania, who traveled on her 55th birthday, wore all-black along with a traditional veil.
Also in attendance were Prince William, representing the British royal family, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, French President Emmanuel Macron, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The funeral Mass coincided with Melania’s birthday and multiple sources previously told PEOPLE that the first lady, the first practicing Catholic in her role since Jackie Kennedy, felt “honored” to be able to attend.
“Meeting the pope eight years ago made the trip to his funeral all the more important, a source close to the family told PEOPLE.
A social source agreed, noting that even though it’s her duty as a world leader’s spouse to show up for the funeral, she had “no issue” in spending her birthday morning there. “She will make the most of her birthday in the time frame after the event,” the social source added.
The pope died on Monday, April 21, just hours after meeting with Vice President JD Vance. That was the final chapter in Francis’ sometimes contentious relationship with President Trump’s administration, particularly over the White House’s policies on migration.
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After he died, President Trump hailed Francis as “a good man [who] worked hard and loved the world.”
Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, spoke out against Trump’s immigration policies multiple times after the real estate mogul entered U.S. politics. During Trump’s first term, the pope said his plan to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico was “not Christian.”
He was rebuked by the president, who called him a “very political person.” However, Trump was happy to accept the pope’s 2017 invitation to visit Vatican City, calling it the “honor of a lifetime.”
Upon the news of the pope’s death, Trump posted to Truth Social, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” The president also ordered all flags in the U.S. to be lowered to half-staff until the day of the funeral.
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