Donald Trump made his first official foreign trip since the beginning of his second term in office, visiting Rome to attend Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony. The visit took place on 27 April, just over three months after Trump’s inauguration on 20 January. This was reported by Express.
The American leader was accompanied by US First Lady Melania Trump, who celebrated her birthday on the day of the ceremony. Together with the Trumps, dozens of world leaders gathered at the Vatican to pay their last respects to the pontiff.
During the three-hour-long Mass in St Peter’s Square in Rome, the guests were offered a traditional “sign of peace” – a handshake between those present. Witnesses noted that Donald Trump initially remained motionless, while the other leaders began to exchange greetings.
At the critical moment, the first lady gently leaned towards her husband and whispered something in his ear. According to lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling, Melania said: “You should do this.” Trump replied: “Oh, okay.”
After that, the US president became more active: he shook hands with Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
