President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend Pope Francis\u2019s funeral, following the death of the 88-year-old pontiff Monday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cMelania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!\u201d Trump said on Truth Social<\/a>.<\/p>\n The president told reporters earlier Monday that he was going to be briefed after the traditional White House Easter Egg Roll on whether he can attend the funeral. When asked if he\u2019d like to attend, he replied, \u201cI don’t know, I just have to look at the timing.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump had signed an executive order<\/a> to direct all federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in commemoration of Francis, whom he called \u201ca good man\u201d who \u201cloved the world.\u201d<\/p>\n The funeral date is determined by the cardinals but typically takes place between four days and six days after the pope’s death. It includes a Mass at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, where the coffin will be located for the public viewing in the days before.<\/p>\n Pope John Paul II\u2019s funeral in 2005 took place six days after his death. Then-president George W. Bush and former Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush, as well as other U.S. dignitaries, attended the funeral.<\/p>\n Following the funeral, Catholic cardinals are then summoned to Rome to take part in<\/a> what is known as the conclave, during which they vote in a secret ballot to select a new pope.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend Pope Francis\u2019s funeral, following the death of the 88-year-old pontiff Monday morning. \u201cMelania and I will be going to the funeral<\/p>\n