US President Donald Trump has announced he and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump , will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Monday.
"Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The funeral and interment of the pontiff must be held between four and six days after his death, though the exact schedule has yet to be finalized.
From 'I don't know yet' to 'will go'
Earlier in the day, the US president did not give a clear answer when asked if he would attend the funeral of the Argentine pontiff, who was the first pope from Latin America and whose papacy began in March 2013.
Trump said at the White House Easter Egg Roll, "I don’t know yet. We’re going to be briefed on it right now … I just have to look at the timing."
The MAGA leader added, "He was a very good man who loved the world, and he especially loved people that were having a hard time and that’s good with me."
The two had met in Vatican in May 2017 during the Republican's first presidential term.
Donald Trump on Pope Francis' death
After the pope's death was announced, Trump posted on Truth Social, "Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!"
He also declared that as a mark of respect, the United States' flag shall be flown at half-staff across the country. The flag shall be flown half-staff also at all US embassies and other facilities abroad.
"Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The funeral and interment of the pontiff must be held between four and six days after his death, though the exact schedule has yet to be finalized.
From 'I don't know yet' to 'will go'
Earlier in the day, the US president did not give a clear answer when asked if he would attend the funeral of the Argentine pontiff, who was the first pope from Latin America and whose papacy began in March 2013.
Trump said at the White House Easter Egg Roll, "I don’t know yet. We’re going to be briefed on it right now … I just have to look at the timing."
The MAGA leader added, "He was a very good man who loved the world, and he especially loved people that were having a hard time and that’s good with me."
The two had met in Vatican in May 2017 during the Republican's first presidential term.
Donald Trump on Pope Francis' death
After the pope's death was announced, Trump posted on Truth Social, "Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!"
He also declared that as a mark of respect, the United States' flag shall be flown at half-staff across the country. The flag shall be flown half-staff also at all US embassies and other facilities abroad.
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