President of the United States of America heads to Rome for Pope Francis Funeral

President Donald Trump travels today to Rome, Italy, ahead of the funeral of the Holy Father of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis I. 

According to the White House, the president travels today as a key world leader to represent the American people in paying their last respects and honor to the pontiff. Trump journeys to Vatican City with his wife, Melania Trump, and other US government officials.

The flight movement of the president have been captured by many American media houses; he moves in presidential jet, Air Force One 

The main funeral rite of the pope, as decided by the College of Cardinals, is to take place on Saturday, April 26. Several world leaders, including Trump, are expected to participate in this occasion. 

The funeral ceremony, which will begin at 10AM CET (08:00AM GMT) tomorrow at St. Peter's Square, will feature 170 foreign dignitaries, according to Al Jazeera. These leaders include myriads of heads of state, and this will make the event an extraordinary political gathering. 

The event is also likely to have a dash of diplomatic awkwardness since not all attendees are in good relationships. 

Related Article: Vatican announce the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday; Died at age 88

Other world leaders who have confirmed going to the Vatican include UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer; Prince William, Prince of Wales, who will represent the British royal family in Rome; Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena; and the president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

President Javier Milei of Argentina will also be in attendance, as well as Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and President Sergio Mattarella, who doubles up as host.

Talking about US President Trump's relationship with the late pope, the two met in 2017 when Trump visited the Vatican. Trump expressed to the press that Pope Francis was a "really good man" who "loved the world" and that both had a "fantastic" meeting. 

It is worth noting that Pope Francis criticized the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. During Trump’s first presidency, from 2017 to 2021, the pope also spoke against the US-Mexico border wall, saying a person who builds walls instead of bridges was “not Christian.”

For now, the president of the greatest nation in the world goes to Rome for the Pope's funeral rite. This marks the significance of the tie between America and the church.