President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday April 26th in Rome.
President Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, the pontiff’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, according to the Vatican. {link}
According to ABC News, Ukraine’s unelected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also be attending. Additional attendees include Javier Milei, the president of Francis’ native Argentina; Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil; French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The funeral service is scheduled to be held outside in St Peter’s Square.
After a period of rest in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where Francis lived during his papacy, his body will on Wednesday morning be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica. There, he will lie in state in an open coffin for three days, while cardinals and the wider public pay their respects to the late pontiff.
Francis’ coffin will then be carried into St. Peter’s Square – the piazza outside the basilica – for Saturday’s funeral.
It looks like Pope Francis fell and hit his head during the stroke that took his life. A noticeable bruise is on the left side of his face.
Are they going for the funeral of a world religious figure or the funeral of a Head of State of a foreign government that is a sovereign nation adversarial and undermining These United States of American, influencing Rome/American dual citizen in our elections, in going against the President of These United States of America, and protesting against our country in the name of Church Authority and Doctrine?
FYI they are going to represent Americans (and Catholic Americans) in paying their respects to a world leader. Sometimes, you just have to do the right thing ………..just because it’s the right thing to do.
Bingo. Do the right thing.
Humility and honor don’t need an audience with all the splendor of pomp and circumstance.
ALL that glitters id not gold.
i think DJT ws raised to respect everyone even your Foes, which means he shakes hands when appropriate, says the right things when needed ? Manners. Kids all the same. So as you and other say, hes doing the right thing. Like him or not also for me he is the way he is, everything about him is more Personal thank other Pres who seem far away? Hes like your Neighbor?
He could have called US to a minute of silence for the Pope. True honor.
It would have been more real than the trip for the splendor and circumstance; I won’t watch it.
The Pope is having the most elaborate celebration; he should be in a wooden box prepared for dust to dust. All the pomp and circumstance can’t hold any sway where he’s going for judgement.
God Help US
Stay on the right side of the Cross and be lifted up; the left side takes you down.
There’s nothing “right” about paying respects to a demon who hijacked the Roman Catholic Church ! He was evil and has stacked the Bishops with similar evil doers. The next Pope will be just as evil of an apostate.
On one side he is the head of the Catholic Church. On the other side he is the head of the Holy See which is a country by itself with diplomats around the world.
No, actually the Holy See is not a country. Vatican City is the nation.
The leaders are going for the pomp and circumstance IMHO not for me.
God Help US
Honor is never about the trimmings and festivities; humble praying can take place without it.
Grace is free and in abundance in each one of us. Completely paid for by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We each need to give away as much Grace as we possibly can.
Just my humble opinion.
True!
And your comment required no gold ornamentation, silk garbs, or splendor; just a minute in true regard for the Pope.
I pray better in a stable or the woods than a Temple.
Thinking of the money spent for this ‘celebration’ in Vatican City is heinous, not respectful, sorry.
I wished he and FLOTUS wouldn’t go, but our President will be representing America which includes millions of Catholics. Nothing wrong in showing respect.
I only have security concerns. But then I always have security concerns when POTUS travels.
The difference between the wise men and these world leaders is very stark; the wise men went to a stable, these ‘leaders’ will travel in splendor to the splendor of the walled Vatican City……….
The Pope is an elected figure; and the criteria for election has become blurred IMHO………kinda like Our illegal voting machines and fake ballots???
God Help US
My faith takes me to the Stable, not the Vatican.
Why is the unelected money laundering dictator of Ukraine, who has banned the major Christian denomination in Ukraine, being permitted to attend this service?
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-orthodox-religion-ban/33091200.html
Because Zelinski is an unembarassable dictator and a con man.
Because certain organizations that control him, want him right where he is.
Curious to see if he can scare up a suit for the occasion or will he show up in his ridiculous “I am Army” green fatigues….
When you give it some thought, Zelenskyy probably has nightmares about neckties.
All I can think of is the army men in Toy Story LOL
What a joke Z is. Just dress the part and voila!
Zman has an appointment at the Vatican Bank.
That is as likely an explanation, as any, MaineCoon.
There are elements within the Vatican that support and work for the disturbance of Orthodoxy in Ukraine. A sizeable population of western Ukraine has been historically in communion with the Vatican. Uniatism is an example of Vatican activities.
The involvement of the Œcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Ukraine is due, in part, to being under the heavy influence of certain non-Orthodox and non-Slavic governments and organizations for a century.
The situation is complicated.
Thank you for your insight, Sepp.
I appreciate your consistent contributions in the open thread showing examples of Orthodox art, churches and culture.
Step back and look at the bigger picture:
As with previous events this is an opportunity for people to have meetings behind the scenes.
Trump and Z might be planning some face time as the peace efforts accelerate this week. Avoids another contentious meeting in front of the media at the Whitehouse or elsewhere. If nothing comes of it the meeting never has to be publicized.
That does seem reasonable, actually.
He will show up in his Castro uniform with a basket asking for money.
Gross to the picture. Been trying to avoid that.
May God forgive the pope for his leftist move away from the church’s teachings and may God protect President Trump and family en route and in Italy.
AMEN. We pray for God’s grace and salvation for ALL. He is BIG enough to handle all of our Sins, regardless how egregious. THE CROSS says it all….”It is FINISHED!” And the empty tomb is the final punctuation, exclamation point, “HE IS RISEN!”
You don’t receive forgiveness after you die.
It has to be given before you die or you are not forgiven.
No amount of praying or wishing for someone to receive it after they die will help either.
He died pushing a lesbian and homosexual agenda.
He will be judged according to his wicked works and words.
Agree. Thanks for saying what I was biting my tongue about.
I think (feel free to correct me, people) Catholics believe you have a layover in Purgatory for a few days before you arrive at your final destination and perhaps there’s still a chance to change flights. They think others’ prayers can affect that change. I don’t know where in Scripture they support that belief. Christ never said that. Wishful thinking and questionable doctrine like paying money to absolve oneself of sin (Indulgences).
Hi John!
Nope- no such thing as ‘layover for a few days’ in Purgatory, etc. (We all will have a personal ( particular) judgment right after the moment of death. You died in a state of Grace? Then it’s either straight to heaven, or some period of purification in Purgatory… then eventually Heaven.
if you die in an unrepentant state of sin( someone is not in a state of grace) then you’ve chosen Hell.
The doctrine of purgatory is supported by scripture as well, though I don’t have the time nor inclination to go through a complete catechism lesson rn though lol)
Most Non-Catholics
Seem to have a habit of spreading misinformation/false information about actual Catholic doctrine, so my humble suggestion to non- Catholics is that it’s probably best to remain silent if you don’t know what you’re talking about:)
God bless and take care!
Actually biblically when someone dies there spirit rest within the earth. Our ancestors knew this hence the universal RIP “Rest In Peace” on tomb stones. On the day of YHVH all will be resurrected, the obedient to everlasting life in the new Jerusalem. The disobedient to destruction in the lake of fire. No heaven no hell just eternal life here on earth or complete destruction as all evil will be removed.
Thank you JeanMarie for that excellent explanation. I get frustrated, at times, attempting to correct the many misunderstandings non-Catholics have about The Lord’s Church.
I noticed the bruise also.😳
I will be praying 🙏 for President Trump
and our First Lady- Melania during the trip.
Seems odd they would not conceal the bruise.
wander too…did he fall or something else….
Pooling of blood if he had been deceased for a while, before he was found? Although I cannot imagine him being left alone even while he slept.
Either way, he did not look well on Sunday morning.
A Cerebral Stroke includes a possible brain bleed, that could surface on his face as a result.
He was said to be a humble man, as in his instructions for a simple burial location and marker. Perhaps he had requested no makeup for his burial?
I am wondering if the bruise that can
be seen ….is actually worse.
Don’t know if they have people there
who work for the morticians who
specialize in ….cosmetology.
🤷♀️ 💁♀️ What can I say…. I was friends
with an undertaker….Funeral Director,
another worked in crematorium, and
one of my co-workers was working
part time for the county that picked
up bodies to take to the morgue or
funeral homes.
Interesting conversations.😳
yes gypsy.. I noticed it too ……..
Man I sure hope he has some ridiculous security at all times. If you think our deep-state can gin-up patsy lunatics, the entirety of Western Europe is full to the rim of these types, including all the terrorists that have flooded nearly every country. I really don’t much trust our own protection folks let alone what’s lurking in Europe.
This makes me uneasy to say the least.
Praying, praying for everyone’s safety. God Speed, back HOME safely.
At least a MUCH better security detail than Kristy Noem had at the DC restaurant….
Twenty Easter Saturdays ago, St. John Paul II passed away. What a difference twenty Easter Saturdays make.
In my opinion, John Paul II richly deserved to be called “The Great.” And – although I do not proscribe to the Catholic meaning of the term – to be honored as “Saint.” It was very easy to overlook just how many “Great” things he selflessly did. He brought great honor to the Office, and did much good. Yet he didn’t draw attention to himself.
How many world leaders and dignitaries attending the funeral have faith in Jesus Christ? Certainly not very many.
One can hope that by attending this one, they might find in their hearts to believe. When I go to Mass on Christmas and Easter and see so many more faces, it’s what I hope and pray for. Have faith that this might be the thing that brings them to Christ.
Why is Mr. zed going? I don’t like this.
To beg for more money.
Z is going for the photo op. Whenever there is a gathering of heads of state, regardless of whether he has an invitation, Z shows up. I will not be surprised when he holds a press conference while he’s there so he can claim the Pope was a supporter of his “democracy” and he needs more money. The grift has paid off handsomely for him, so expecting anything to change is unrealistic.
For once, I hope they don’t let a crisis go to waste.
You know, I think it’s okay to pay respects to a Pope, no matter how exactly you feel about his religion or his performance in Office. Because this Office is one of the most challenging – the Pope is almost a “king of kings.” He does serve people all over the world who hang by his every word.
I believe that this man served the Lord as he was directed to do, and that we should honor that attempt. Whether or not we approve of all that he did or how he did it, he did it. He walked on the front lines every day, every instant in the spotlight. I think that he was faithful to the Office as he saw it.
Requiscat En Pace.
If people knew the truth about Bergoglio, who he was and what he did before he was installed as pope, they would spit on his evil corpse.
Born in Argentina – where the German n@zi’s fled to in their escape from Justice.
Just sayin’.
He was a Peronist and a lefty.
I can’t wait to see what our First Lady Melania is wearing. This type of thing lends itself to her understated elegance.
I feel like we are back in Camelot with Melania taking the place of Jackie Kennedy bringing taste, style and beauty to every occasion.
Pope Francis opening expressed disdain for PDJT and his proAmerica policies, and promoted open borders, climate change, and other Leftist causes. I hope PDJT knows what he is doing with this appearance at Vatican City.
The President and First Lady are showing class by attending.
I do worry about their safety – but it’s the good and noble thing for them to do.
Bergogila’s bodily death has brought about a wrinkle in the world’s consciousness. And it’s effects are about to begin the final battle of good vs evil in Holy Mother Church here on earth. A spiritual and humble catholic man, a peon in the pews, recognized sometime ago that Pope Francis was an anomaly to the Papacy. This was noticed firstly in his refusal to allow the longstanding traditional papal title, “The Vicar of Christ” to be used in official papal references. Why he did not want to be known as our Lord and Saviour’s official voice here on earth is puzzling and no explanation was ever given for this omission.
But what this man’s bodily death reminds men of is the stark and somber reminder that every Catholic soul is reminded of on the first day of the Holy Season of Lent: “REMEMBER MAN! THOU ART DUST! AND TO DUST THOU SHALL RETURN!”. And contrary to the words that Bergoglio spoke about that there are few souls (if any, because he believed that evil souls were simply dissolved when their body died) may I remind our dear Sundance and many other fellow Catholic souls on this Treehouse family, of what the great holy soul St. Athanasius said about Hell: “The floor of Hell is paved with Bishops skulls.”
I pray for this man’s soul, as he begins his Spirit Journey, and that God will have mercy on him just as I want God to have mercy on my soul when I die. Nothing else can be said as it’s as simple as that, which is simply my peon in the pew humble view.
Receive Jesus’ death on the cross as the total payment of your sins and you will be in Heaven immediately upon leaving this earth.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth. If you are sincerely seeking the truth He will. There are no second chances after death. Ask for wisdom to have your eyes opened to the truth.
Joellyn,
Thank you for your sincere thought. As a 70 year old cradle born catholic boy, the Holy Spirit effused into my soul the supreme grace of knowing that when I receive Holy Communion from a Catholic priest at the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass, that I am factually and objectively taking into my body and soul, the humble Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Believe my fellow soul, my eyes have been opened to this TRUTH. I would invite you to pray to the Holy Spirit to show you the the Supreme Truth of Jesus Christ being truly present in His Holy Body, Holy Blood, Holy Soul and Holy Divinity in the Catholic Eucharist, It’s called Holy Transubstantiation. COME LORD JESUS!
I respectively disagree. I was a Catholic for years. I am now a born again believer. Jesus plus nothing equals salvation. I told you the truth. I rest my case.
I’m sincerely sorry you were hurt.
Thank you, JCALAS, for those wise, faithful words. This cradle Catholic greatly appreciates it.
I would like to call your attention to this interesting article:
https://www.rt.com/news/616113-pope-francis-great-failure/
(Don’t let the URL lead you to expect what the article actually says – I think that it is “well rounded.”)
Putin is a thug no more than Biden, Obama, Kerry, Hillary, Nulandm, or Fauci are thugs…MAKE A LIST
He should have nuked us, already
Seems RT has more cred than US media
We don’t have enough paper for a complete list. LOL
You would think the Pope’s undertaker would have put some make-up on that facial bruise.
Ted,
As a very long standing licensed funeral director/embalmer, I can observe a couple of things regarding this so called bruise. It’s very possible that the bruise is a result of poor embalming circulation on that side of the face, which could have been easily rectified by directly embalming the left side of the head through the left carotid, as most embalmers utilized the right carotid as their point of entry. If this is the case, then that left facial bruise will only get darker due to decomposition and the Vatican embalmer better get ahead of that problem asap!
Or, it’s plausible that the left side showing the bruise is actually discoloration due the formaldehyde index be very astringent (very strong and Hot! Hot! in embalmers lingo!) This dryness would absorb the cosmetics and expose this facial discoloration. But, this a freshly embalmed body and it’s a little unusual for this discoloration to say the least. Of the two possibilities, I’m leaning towards the latter, simply for the fact that Bergoglio’s body was a very fatty body probably had a lot of edema (water) especially in his lower body/leg areas. Because of this body type, the Italian embalmers had to use a very strong (hot) formaldehyde solution. I have embalmed thousand of fat bodies over 38 years and these body types are always more challenging to embalm. (If there are other embalmers in the Treehouse, they might have another good explanation for this as well.)
Ick. I don’t want to know . . .
I know from reading that the embalming of past Popes has been problematic. They are kept around for a long time and on view.
A prayer for priests:
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, keep them, for they are Thine – Thy priests whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world, though from the world apart; when earthly pleasures tempt, allure – shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain, when all their lives of sacrifice for souls seems but in van.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord, they have no one but Thee, yet they have only human hearts, with human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host, that daily they caress; their every thoughts and word and deed, Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1432
Thanks Aggiegirl. Bringing tears to this cradle Catholic’s eyes.
Who, because of the implementation of V2, is just recently learning the fullness, and beauty of my faith!
“We look forward to being there.”
Lol! Clergy-to-the-world’s-crime-families-‘Commie-Pope’s’ funeral? Don’t threaten me with a good time’
Prayers up for the protection of POTUS during this trip and all times.
I wonder if they will play ‘Imagine’ during his service.
President Trump will then turn to those assembled at the Pope’s funeral and perform the Trump dance😄
@sundance and treepers, the funeral is just an excuse for 47 and the rest of the world leaders including the dictator Zelensky to all meet in person on the sidelines of the funeral to hash out any final deals regarding the war in Ukraine and also tariffs. This is what you call plausible deniability. this will be done just to keep the pride eyes of the leftist media away from what 47 is doing and focused on the pope’s funeral..
Sundance, are you in Rome?
never liked the guy
I hope PDJT is very, very careful, as I hope Milei. Meloni, Orban, and all of the other conservatives will be. Would be too easy to arkancide them all in one fell swoop
In the movie, London Has Fallen, the US President gets a short-notice trip (to the UK) to attend a state funeral.
I would think the security apparatus in the Vatican is minimal compared to other European countries, thus making this location ripe for a red flag event on a global scale.
Be safe, Mr and Mrs. President Trump.
I would use so many body doubles that you would think that it was a Trump impersonation convention. The duplication of agent Smith in the Matrix movies would pale in comparison to the number of body doubles running around Rome.
The Italian secret service is as every bit as compromised as ours. I would regard them as the enemy and proceed in Trump’s protection/security from that point.
I would attend the funeral remotely.
The Vatican, a separate country from Italy, has its own security force – the Swiss Guard.
Who are reputedly to be very, very good.
Excellent, I’ve heard.
I always get nervous when a bunch of heads of state are gathered together. (notice I didn’t say leaders, though ours is definitely one)
Saint Christopher, please watch over President Trump and Melania Trump and all in their entourage as they travel to pay their respects to Pope Francis. Amen.
This terrifies me , Trump is in severe danger .
I’m worried about it too. Liberal Europeans detest him. Obviously he knows the risks. All we can do is pray.
Guess Putin won’t go? He’s a orthodox catholic….he should go and let them seethe
Orthodox Catholic? Not sure what that is. Do you mean Eastern Orthodox? Russian Orthodox? Don’t think that there are many traditional Western Catholics in Russia but I may be wrong…
There are people of the Latin Rite in communion with the Vatican who live in Russia and have Apostolic Administrators in Moscow and Siberia.
The Vatican has “Uniates” in Eastern Europe who are called Russian Greek Catholics of the Byzantine Rite or similar titles.
The Orthodox Christians are self-defined as being Catholic. In typical English media and academic usage the term Orthodox Catholic is not frequently used.
Roman is not defined as just the City of Rome. The Græco-Roman Empire was larger than that. Rūm is still a current term regarding Orthodox in some places.
Greek was the language of the first Christians to reach the City of Rome, several early Bishops of Rome were Greeks, and the Divine Liturgy in the early days of the Christian presence in the City of Rome was Greek before Latin.
Western Christianity tends to ignore or distort the reality of the Orthodox Christian Church.
Thank you for such a great, comprehensive response! Learn some new every day! 😊
VikingMom: You are welcome. If I don’t learn something new each day then I see my day as wasted.
Prayers for President Trump and the First Lady are never wasted.
I don’t think they embalm the Pope. Remember when Pope John was viewed and people were complaining how awful he started to look. Almost like he was rotting away in full view. He was becoming grotesque as people were viewing him and his was almost turning black – remember the red shoes and I even think they mentioned the smell – it would be something to go back and read – as far as the evil people being viewed it is repulsive to see his face bruised.
I wish that he and FLOTUS were NOT attending due to security concerns. The Ukrainians, euro trash and HAN Chinese want him ended. 47 looked great on Easter at the White House—- without the bullet proof vest and suit. God bless them, both.
I remember when Pope Benedict XVI died and was laid in state in the Vatican. Francis had Benedict laid out WITH NO COFFIN.
The whole thing was bizzare and I have never found out why that was done. My guess is that it was done in order to insult Pope Benedict.
Dont think the pope merits DJT presence, too dangerous. Send bondi.
Accompanied by Patel and Bongino.
The best thing to do is attend, but this will be another test for Presidential security.
Obviously St. Peters Square is very big, & a lot can happen quickly.
Let’s see if the Secret Service can protect Trump EVEN better than they did Hunter Biden.
Thank you for pointing out (and picturing) that very large and noticeable bruise on the left side of his face.
No more need be said, but I wonder if it has any relation to the infamous “bruised left eye” syndrome common to satanist politicians?
(The eye ends up bruised in an excruciating satanic ritual; many prominent figures have sported such a remarkably unlikely bruise. How many men of their station are getting into fistfights at their age?)
Or, did they just off him? Suspicious Cat wants to know.
https://www.bible.com/bible/compare/DEU.32.35
Joe and Jill will ask Trump if they can hitch a flight with him and his wife on Air Force One for one last flight.
America now flys its flag half mast for the Antichrist.
Things have really changed since 1776 …
https://www.semperreformanda.com/creeds/the-reformers-on-who-is-the-antichrist/
Flacius (1570)
“The sixth and last reason for our separation from the pope and his followers be this; By many writings of our church, by the Divinely inspired Word, by prophecies concerning the future and by the special characteristics of the Papacy, it has been profusely and thoroughly proved that the pope with his prelates and clergy is the real true great antichrist, that his kingdom is the real Babylon, a never ceasing fountain and a mother of all abominable idolatry.” (Flacius, Etliche Hochwichtige Ursachen und Grunde, warum das siche alle Christen von dem Antichrist … absondern sollen)
And his direct line to Christ?
Some persons think us too severe in our judgment of the Papacy. But contemporary liberal views are judged to be in error by the fathers of the protestant faith:
John Calvin (1509 – 1564)
“Though it be admitted that Rome was once the mother of all Churches, yet from the time when it began to be the seat of Antichrist it has ceased to be what it was before. Some persons think us too severe and censorious when we call the Roman Pontiff Antichrist. But those who are of this opinion do not consider that they bring the same charge of presumption against Paul himself, after whom we speak and whose language we adopt .. I shall briefly show that (Paul’s words in II Thess. 2) are not capable of any other interpretation than that which applies them to the Papacy.” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol.3, p.149)
Charles Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) *Not technically a Reformer
“It is the bounden duty of every Christian to pray against Antichrist, and as to what Antichrist is no sane man ought to raise a question. If it be not the popery in the Church of Rome there is nothing in the world that can be called by that name. If there were to be issued a hue and cry for Antichrist, we should certainly take up this church on suspicion, and it would certainly not be let loose again, for it so exactly answers the description.”
“Popery is contrary to Christ’s Gospel, and is the Antichrist, and we ought to pray against it. It should be the daily prayer of every believer that Antichrist might be hurled like a millstone into the flood and for Christ, because it wounds Christ, because it robs Christ of His glory, because it puts sacramental efficacy in the place of His atonement, and lifts a piece of bread into the place of the Saviour, and a few drops of water into the place of the Holy Ghost, and puts a mere fallible man like ourselves up as the vicar of Christ on earth; if we pray against it, because it is against Him, we shall love the persons though we hate their errors: we shall love their souls though we loath and detest their dogmas, and so the breath of our prayers will be sweetened, because we turn our faces towards Christ when we pray.” (Michael de Semlyen, All Roads Lead to Rome)
He published his book The Papacy: its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects in 1851, winning a prize of a hundred guineas from the Evangelical Alliance. The Protestant Institute appointed him Lecturer on Popery in 1860. He continued in this role until his death in 1890, publishing in 1888 his work The Papacy is the Antichrist. He died with his History of the Scottish Nation taken forward to 1286.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Aitken_Wylie
The splendor of the walled Vatican City; pomp and circumstance for the leaving Pope; what a comparison to the arrival of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
God Help US
How far Catholicism has come; from Real Riches to mere riches.
RIP Pope Francis; what splendors await you?
Sectarians and cultists are surfacing to make their own Pope-like pronouncements on religion. Every man and woman is now his or her own pope.