The time Melania Trump met Pope Francis in 2017
In 2017, Melania Trump met Pope Francis during her first overseas trip as First Lady, marking a significant moment where she publicly acknowledged her Catholic faith.
Melania Trump, the first lady of the United States, is set to attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, with her husband, President Donald Trump.
Their visit to the Vatican draws back to their first trip abroad in 2017, where Melania had an unforgettable experience meeting the pontiff.
Melania’s meeting with Pope Francis
In 2017, Melania Trump was the first practicing Catholic first lady of the U.S. in decades, as the last one was Jacqueline Kennedy. Melania Trump would later describe her experience meeting the pontiff as one she would "never forget."
Melania Trump shares a memorable moment from her 2017 meeting with Pope Francis, expressing gratitude for the experience. Photo: Melania Trump's X account
Melania also had her rosary blessed by the pope and arranged the opportunity to visit the pediatric care unit at the Bambino Gesu hospital outside the Vatican city-state, just as Princess Diana and Mother Teresa had.
Who will be attending Pope Francis' funeral?
The funeral will be a solemn affair, attended by world leaders, church officials, and faithful from across the globe. Among the high-profile figures will be:
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
And as he announced it on Truth Social on April 21, Donald and Melania Trump.