Trump will attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome despite contentious past: 'Look forward to being there!'

Fox News - Apr 21st, 2025

Following the announcement of Pope Francis's death, President Trump stated that he and First Lady Melania Trump will attend the Pope's funeral at the Vatican. This decision comes despite a history of ideological differences and tension between Trump and Pope Francis. Traditionally, papal funerals occur four to six days after death, with Francis's expected by month's end. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that the General Congregation of Cardinals would decide the funeral date soon.

Pope Francis had previously criticized Trump's policies, including his southern border wall proposal and mass deportation plans, labeling them 'not Christian.' Trump defended himself, arguing it was inappropriate for religious leaders to question others' faith. Despite these differences, Trump ordered American flags to fly at half-staff in honor of the Pope, highlighting the significance of the event. The funeral will be a simplified version, following Francis's changes to papal funeral rites. Trump's attendance is notable, given his non-Catholic background and limited interactions with the Pope compared to his successor, Joe Biden.

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RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed account of Trump's announcement to attend Pope Francis's funeral and the historical relationship between the two leaders. While the story covers timely and relevant topics, its accuracy is compromised by the incorrect claim of Pope Francis's death. The article succeeds in presenting the ideological differences between Trump and Pope Francis, but it could benefit from more balanced coverage of the Vatican's perspective. The lack of transparency in sourcing and verification detracts from the story's reliability, although it remains engaging due to its focus on significant public figures and international relations. Overall, the article offers valuable insights but requires careful consideration of its factual inaccuracies.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports that Trump announced his intention to attend Pope Francis's funeral, corroborated by multiple sources. It also correctly describes the historical tensions between Trump and Pope Francis, including the 2016 remarks about the border wall. However, the article inaccurately reports Pope Francis's death, as he is still alive. The claim about Trump's flag order is verified, but the article lacks precise details about the timing and specifics of the funeral arrangements, which were still pending. The differences in climate policy and the historical context of meetings between Trump and Pope Francis are accurately portrayed.

Balance

The article presents a reasonably balanced view of the relationship between Trump and Pope Francis, highlighting both their ideological differences and the diplomatic engagements. However, it could have provided more context about Pope Francis's perspective on the issues mentioned, such as climate change and nationalism. The focus is primarily on Trump's actions and statements, which may skew the narrative slightly towards his viewpoint.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it easy to follow the narrative of Trump's announcement and his historical relationship with Pope Francis. However, the abrupt mention of Pope Francis's death without context or verification could confuse readers. The article maintains a neutral tone, but the lack of clarity in certain sections, such as the details of the funeral, affects overall comprehension.

Source quality

The article references statements from Trump and uses historical context to support its claims. However, it lacks direct quotes or statements from Vatican officials or other authoritative sources to confirm the details of the funeral or Pope Francis's death. The reliance on a single media outlet for the story may limit the diversity and reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the sources of its information or the methodology behind its claims, particularly regarding the announcement of Pope Francis's death. It would benefit from more explicit attribution of information and a clearer explanation of how the details were verified. The lack of transparency about the sources of the claims regarding the funeral arrangements and the Vatican's response is a notable gap.