Donald Trump in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral: expected at St. Peter’s on 26 April

The US president left Washington in the afternoon. He will meet Giorgia Meloni and other international leaders. Tomorrow at St Peter’s with his wife Melania to pay homage to the Pontiff

Donald Trump is expected in Rome this evening to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, to be held tomorrow, Saturday 26 April, in St Peter’s Square. The US president left Andrews base at 3.31pm Italian time aboard Air Force One, about 40 minutes behind schedule. He is scheduled to arrive at Fiumicino airport at 11.30pm.

Shortly before boarding, Trump said: “We are leaving for Rome, where we will go to pay our respects to Pope Francis”. The tycoon also anticipated meetings with several heads of state and government present at the Vatican, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

In recalling the Pontiff, Trump stressed to reporters from the accompanying pool: ‘I met him twice… he loved the world, I think he was a great person.’

After landing, the presidential motorcade will move on to Villa Taverna, the US ambassador’s residence in Rome, where the president and first lady Melania Trump will stay for the night.

Tomorrow morning, according to the official programme, the presidential couple will arrive in St. Peter’s Square at 9.30 a.m. to attend the Pope’s funeral ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. Departure from Rome is scheduled for 1.30 p.m. with a return to the US in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Melania will also celebrate her 55th birthday.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)