A Diplomatic Save: How Melania Trump Guided the President Through a Sacred Catholic Tradition at Pope Francis’s Funeral

In the solemn setting of Vatican City this past weekend, as world leaders gathered to bid farewell to Pope Francis, a brief interaction between the U.S. President and First Lady offered a glimpse into the complex dynamics of diplomatic protocol and religious traditions. During the papal funeral attended by over 250,000 mourners in St. Peter’s Square, Melania Trump provided a subtle but crucial intervention that helped her husband, President Donald Trump, navigate an unfamiliar Catholic tradition. This moment, caught on camera and later analyzed by professional lip readers, reveals the often-overlooked role that spouses of world leaders play in diplomatic settings and highlights the challenges of participating in religious ceremonies outside one’s own faith tradition.

The Sign of Peace: A Catholic Tradition

The moment in question occurred during the “Sign of Peace,” a meaningful ritual within Catholic liturgy that has deep historical and theological significance. During this part of the ceremony, participants are invited to offer each other a gesture of peace—typically a handshake, though sometimes a hug or kiss depending on cultural context and personal relationship. The practice stems from biblical roots, particularly Jesus’s instruction in the Gospel of Matthew: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

This ritual is standard in Catholic Masses worldwide and is typically performed after the Lord’s Prayer and before Communion. It symbolizes the renewal of peace and fellowship among the gathered community before they partake in the Eucharist. The gesture acknowledges that genuine worship requires reconciliation and harmony within the community of believers.

At a papal funeral—perhaps the most significant and formal Catholic ceremony—this tradition takes on added diplomatic dimensions when world leaders from various faith backgrounds are present. The Sign of Peace becomes not merely a religious gesture but also a moment of international goodwill and respect.

The Presidential Hesitation

As this portion of the funeral liturgy unfolded in St. Peter’s Square, cameras captured what appeared to be a moment of uncertainty from President Trump. While many around him began to shake hands with neighboring dignitaries, the President initially seemed hesitant, perhaps unfamiliar with this particular Catholic tradition.

Trump, who identifies as a non-denominational Christian with Presbyterian roots, has not been a regular attendee at Catholic services throughout his life. This unfamiliarity with Catholic liturgical practices is neither unusual nor unexpected for someone from a different faith tradition, particularly given the complexity and specificity of rituals during a papal funeral.

The three-hour ceremony contained numerous elements that would be unfamiliar to non-Catholics, from specific prayers and responses to particular gestures and movements. For any world leader not versed in Catholic practices, navigating these moments while under the watchful eye of international media presents a unique challenge.

Melania’s Timely Intervention

It was at this moment of apparent uncertainty that First Lady Melania Trump stepped in with a discreet but timely prompt. According to forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, who analyzed the footage for the Daily Mail, Mrs. Trump leaned toward her husband and whispered, “You should do it.”

This brief intervention appears to have provided the clarity the President needed. After what lip readers interpreted as his response of “Oh, alright,” he proceeded to extend his hand first to Estonian President Alar Karis, then to Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and subsequently to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Melania Trump’s background may have given her greater familiarity with Catholic traditions than her husband. Though reports about her religious upbringing vary, she was raised in Slovenia, a predominantly Catholic country where many citizens would be familiar with Catholic rituals even if not practicing Catholics themselves. This cultural knowledge proved valuable in helping her husband navigate an unfamiliar religious ceremony with diplomatic implications.

The Diplomatic Importance of Religious Protocol

The exchange between the Trumps, though lasting only seconds, highlights the diplomatic significance of understanding and respecting religious protocols during international events. For world leaders, participation in religious ceremonies of faiths different from their own requires careful navigation of unfamiliar traditions while maintaining appropriate respect and decorum.

These moments carry particular weight at events like papal funerals, where religious ceremony and international diplomacy intersect. A misstep—even an innocent one resulting from unfamiliarity rather than disrespect—can become the subject of media scrutiny and potential diplomatic awkwardness.

The role of diplomatic staff and advisors typically includes briefing leaders on expected protocols for such events. However, in the moment, it is often spouses or close aides who provide the immediate guidance needed to navigate unexpected elements of a ceremony. Melania Trump’s quiet intervention represents this crucial behind-the-scenes support that helps maintain diplomatic smoothness.

A Historical Context for Spousal Diplomatic Support

The First Lady’s role in guiding her husband through this Catholic tradition continues a long, if often unacknowledged, tradition of presidential spouses providing crucial diplomatic support during international engagements. Throughout American history, First Ladies have frequently served as cultural translators, protocol advisors, and diplomatic partners.

Eleanor Roosevelt was known for her ability to smooth over diplomatic situations when Franklin D. Roosevelt’s physical limitations from polio created challenges. Jacqueline Kennedy’s fluency in French proved invaluable during state visits to France. Nancy Reagan often provided subtle cues to President Reagan during public appearances, particularly as his health began to decline in his second term.

More recently, Michelle Obama’s diplomatic skills were noted during international trips, where her warmth and cultural sensitivity complemented Barack Obama’s more formal approach. Dr. Jill Biden, drawing on her extensive international travel experience, has similarly provided support to President Biden during complex diplomatic events.

Melania Trump’s background as someone born and raised in Europe has given her a different perspective on international protocols and European traditions than her American-born husband. This moment at the papal funeral demonstrates how this background can translate into practical diplomatic assistance.

The International Reaction

While the handshake moment itself received relatively limited media attention compared to other aspects of the funeral, it represents the type of small diplomatic moment that can either pass smoothly or become a point of awkwardness depending on how it’s handled. Thanks to the First Lady’s intervention, what could have been an uncomfortable diplomatic misstep instead became a smooth interaction with fellow world leaders.

The broader international attention regarding the Trumps’ attendance at the funeral focused more significantly on the President’s choice to wear a navy blue suit rather than the traditional black attire typically expected at Catholic funerals. This wardrobe decision generated substantial commentary on social media and in international press coverage.

One X (formerly Twitter) user questioned, “Any reason why Donald Trump is in a blue suit and not wearing traditional black for a funeral?” Another commented, “Watching the funeral on BBC News. Trump is in a blue suit when everyone else is in black. No class.” A third observer noted, “Why is Trump wearing a blue suit while everyone else is in black? No respect.”

However, as some commentators pointed out, Trump was not alone in deviating from strict black attire. Prince William also wore a navy blue suit, albeit in a darker shade than Trump’s. Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy opted for black military attire rather than the formal civilian wear specified in the dress code.

The official dress code for the funeral stipulated that men wear a “dark suit” with a black tie and black button on the left lapel. Women were required to wear long black dresses, gloves, and a veil. The variance in how strictly different leaders adhered to these guidelines reflects different cultural interpretations of funeral attire and potentially different levels of familiarity with Catholic funeral traditions.

Religious Backgrounds and Diplomatic Protocol

The handshake moment between the Trumps illustrates a broader challenge faced by world leaders when participating in religious ceremonies outside their own faith traditions. President Trump, like many American presidents before him, has participated in various religious services throughout his political career despite not being a member of those faith communities.

American presidents regularly attend National Prayer Breakfasts, memorial services of various denominations, and religious ceremonies during international visits. Each of these occasions requires careful navigation of unfamiliar religious protocols while maintaining respect for the traditions being observed.

President Biden, as only the second Catholic president in American history (after John F. Kennedy), has more personal familiarity with Catholic rituals than most of his predecessors. However, even Catholic presidents must navigate religious ceremonies of other faiths during their international diplomatic engagements.

Non-Catholic leaders attending Pope Francis’s funeral faced the particular challenge of participating respectfully in an elaborate Catholic liturgy filled with specific traditions and responses. For some, like President Trump, having guidance from those more familiar with these traditions—whether from diplomatic staff or, in this case, a spouse—proves invaluable in navigating these complex ceremonial waters.

Pope Francis’s Funeral: Breaking with Tradition

The funeral itself represented a departure from papal tradition in many ways, reflecting Pope Francis’s emphasis on humility and simplicity throughout his papacy. Rather than the customary three-tiered casket made of cypress, lead, and elm that has been used for previous popes, Francis was laid to rest in a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc.

This simpler approach aligned with the late pontiff’s consistent rejection of pomp and extravagance during his lifetime. Throughout his papacy, Francis chose more modest accommodations than his predecessors, opted for simpler vestments, and frequently emphasized the Church’s responsibility to the poor and marginalized.

The funeral liturgy itself maintained the solemnity and ritual central to Catholic tradition while incorporating elements reflecting Francis’s particular emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. The presence of religious leaders from various Christian denominations and other faith traditions reflected his commitment to interfaith dialogue and ecumenical outreach.

For the world leaders gathered in St. Peter’s Square, including President and Mrs. Trump, participation in this ceremony represented not merely diplomatic obligation but acknowledgment of Pope Francis’s significant global influence beyond the Catholic Church. His advocacy on issues including climate change, migration, economic inequality, and peace-building earned him respect from leaders across the political spectrum, even those who may have disagreed with specific positions he took.

The Complexity of Interfaith Diplomatic Engagements

The moment between the Trumps at the Sign of Peace reflects the growing complexity of interfaith diplomatic engagements in an increasingly interconnected world. As global leaders interact more frequently across religious boundaries, understanding and respecting diverse faith traditions becomes an essential diplomatic skill.

This navigation requires balancing several considerations: respecting the integrity of religious practices, maintaining one’s own religious identity, fulfilling diplomatic obligations, and avoiding actions that might be perceived as insincere or inappropriate participation in another faith’s sacred rituals.

For non-Catholic leaders attending a papal funeral, the challenge involves determining appropriate levels of participation. Should they simply observe respectfully? Participate in certain elements but not others? Follow along completely as a gesture of respect? These questions have no universal answers and depend on specific contexts, relationships, and the nature of the ceremony itself.

The Sign of Peace presents a particularly interesting case because it functions simultaneously as a religious ritual within Catholic liturgy and as a universal human gesture of goodwill that transcends religious boundaries. A handshake of peace can be offered sincerely by anyone, regardless of faith tradition, making it an element of Catholic liturgy that non-Catholics can participate in without compromising their own religious identities.

Melania Trump’s guidance to her husband to participate in this moment reflects an understanding of this dual nature—recognizing where respectful participation is both diplomatically appropriate and personally authentic.

The Ongoing Role of First Ladies in Diplomacy

The brief interaction between the President and First Lady at Pope Francis’s funeral offers a window into the continuing importance of presidential spouses in international diplomacy. While the formal diplomatic role of First Ladies has evolved throughout American history, their behind-the-scenes influence and support remain significant.

First Ladies often develop their own diplomatic relationships with counterparts around the world, creating channels of communication that complement official diplomatic relations. They frequently take on cultural and humanitarian dimensions of international engagement, building goodwill through less formally political interactions.

Their presence at events like papal funerals serves multiple diplomatic functions: representing American values and culture, building personal connections with international counterparts, and supporting their spouses in navigating complex diplomatic situations.

Melania Trump’s background as an immigrant to the United States who was born and raised in Europe gives her a unique perspective among recent First Ladies. Her familiarity with European customs and traditions, potentially including Catholic rituals from her upbringing in predominantly Catholic Slovenia, represents a valuable diplomatic asset in contexts like Pope Francis’s funeral.

The subtle prompt she provided to her husband—”You should do it”—exemplifies the quiet but crucial role presidential spouses often play in ensuring diplomatic smoothness. These small moments, multiplied across countless interactions throughout an administration, contribute significantly to America’s international relationships and image.

Conclusion: Small Moments with Diplomatic Significance

The brief exchange between President and Mrs. Trump during the Sign of Peace at Pope Francis’s funeral might seem minor in the grand scheme of international diplomacy. However, it exemplifies how small moments of cultural navigation accumulate to shape international perceptions and relationships.

For world leaders participating in ceremonies outside their own cultural and religious traditions, such moments present both challenges and opportunities. The challenge lies in navigating unfamiliar protocols while maintaining authenticity and respect. The opportunity comes in demonstrating openness to different traditions and willingness to engage across cultural boundaries.

Melania Trump’s timely guidance to her husband represents the often-invisible diplomatic work that presidential spouses perform. Her intervention helped ensure a smooth diplomatic moment during a globally watched ceremony, allowing the President to participate appropriately in the Sign of Peace with fellow world leaders including Emmanuel Macron, with whom Trump has had a complex and sometimes tense relationship.

As world leaders continue to gather across cultural and religious boundaries, such moments of guidance and cultural translation—whether provided by spouses, diplomatic staff, or religious advisors—will remain essential to effective international engagement. In an increasingly pluralistic global context, the ability to navigate diverse religious and cultural traditions with respect and appropriate participation has become an indispensable diplomatic skill.

The Sign of Peace exchanged between President Trump and other world leaders at Pope Francis’s funeral, facilitated by the First Lady’s guidance, ultimately served its purpose both liturgically and diplomatically—a moment of reconciliation and fellowship transcending political differences and religious boundaries, honoring the legacy of a pontiff who dedicated his life to building bridges across such divides.