![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Melania-Trump-in-lace-veil-at-popes-funeral.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFirst Lady Melania Trump joined her husband Donald and other world leaders, royals and religious figures from around the world at the funeral of Pope Francis on her 55th birthday<\/p>\n
10:12, 26 Apr 2025Updated 12:38, 26 Apr 2025<\/p>\n
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Melania Trump cut a sombre figure as she attended the funeral of Pope Francis<\/a> wearing a black lace veil. The First Lady joined husband President Donald Trump<\/a> and royals, dignitaries and leaders from around the world<\/a> at the Vatican.<\/p>\n Melania, wore all-black for the service along with a lace funeral veil as she travelled to Rome on her 55th birthday. It was previously revealed that Melania, who is the first practicing Catholic in her role since Jackie Kennedy, felt “honoured” to be able to attend. Among the mourners were Prince William<\/a>, representing the British royal family<\/a>, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, French President Emmanuel Macron, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – who received an applause from the crowds as he took his seat.<\/p>\n In scenes beamed around the world, First Lady Melania was seen closing her eyes at numerous points throughout the ceremony as she paid her respects. Viewers watching at home noted her decision to wear the Mantilla Veil as a mark of respect. In the Catholic faith, the wearing of the Mantilla is a symbol of veiling a woman’s physical beauty, so that the beauty of God may be glorified instead. The wearing of a veil for a woman attending Mass is seen generally as a symbol of her modesty and humility before God.<\/p>\n Though some critical viewers questioned Melania’s choice of shoe for the religions event. “Why did Melania wear 8 inch heels to the pope’s funeral? Not appropriate. These people have zero class,” fumed one.<\/p>\n Other viewers were more critical of her husband Donald Trump and his choice of a blue suit for the funeral as he stood out from fellow mourners who had turned out in the majority in all black. President Trump and his wife Melania were seated ahead of both the Irish and British delegations. Do you think Trump\u2019s outfit was ‘disrespectful’? Vote in our poll HERE<\/a> to have your say.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n “Respect? He\u2019s not even wearing a black suit. At least Melania is attending the funeral in all black including a modesty black veil.,” complained one.<\/p>\n “Why isn\u2019t Trump wearing a black suit like everybody else so disrespectful to come to the Pope\u2019s funeral in a light blue suit,” fumed another. Another chimed in: “At least Melania knows how to dress. Trump is a miserable creature. Wearing blue.”<\/p>\n Following the Pope\u2019s death last Monday, more than 250,000 people have paid their respects over three days of public viewing that ended today.<\/p>\n Proceedings got underway at 10am local time (9am BST) and will last for several hours, likely into the early afternoon, with the service taking place at St Peter’s Basilica before a procession moves his body to St Mary Major, a basilica in central Rome the late Pontiff visited frequently during his life.<\/p>\n Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell \u2013 the camerlengo or senior Vatican official \u2013 has been responsible for carrying out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over.<\/p>\n He had the role of announcing the Pope\u2019s death on Easter Monday, co-ordinating meetings with the cardinals ahead of conclave and ensuring the Sistine Chapel is ready to accommodate them when that process begins in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n The sign of a new pope having been elected will be the emergence of white smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel while, soon after, an announcement in Latin of \u201cHabemus Papam\u201d \u2013 meaning \u201cwe have a pope\u201d \u2013 is made alongside the chosen pontiff\u2019s appearance on the balcony of St Peter\u2019s Basilica.<\/p>\n Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. He died after suffering a stroke and heart failure, Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in a death certificate. The pope had fallen into a coma before his death.<\/p>\n His death came weeks after a lengthy battle with double pneumonia and other health issues. Pope Francis had reportedly been struggling to breathe and speak before being admitted to a Rome hospital in February, where he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.<\/p>\n Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! <\/p>\n As tension between the White House and Europe heats up, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you’ll get all the latest news from across the pond.<\/p>\n We’ll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.<\/p>\n All you have to do to join is click on this link<\/a><\/strong>, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.<\/p>\n We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Vatican-Pope-25116308285647.jpg\")
(Image: AP)<\/p>\n![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Funeral-service-at-St-Peters-Basilica-of-Vatican-for-Pope-Francis.jpg\")
Donald Trump stood out in his light blue suit in a sea of mourners wearing all-black(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Pope-Francis-Funeral-Vatican-City.jpg\")
(Image: Philip Coburn \/ Daily Mirror)<\/p>\n![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_APTOPIX-Vatican-Pope-25116311495172.jpg\")
Some viewers questioned how Melania was coping in her towering stiletto heels(Image: AP)<\/p>\n