WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Vatican announced the funeral for Pope Francis will be on Saturday and public viewing will begin Wednesday.
President Donald Trump announced he and First Lady Melania Trump will attend Pope Francis’ funeral.
“It’s just an honor to have the support of the Catholics and I feel badly for them because they loved the pope,” said Trump.
President Trump ordered flags at half-mast in Pope Francis’ honor.
“He was a good man. He worked hard. He loved the world. And it’s an honor to do that,” said Trump.
During his twelve years as pope, Pope Francis met presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
He was the first pope to address Congress and the first to address a G-7 summit of global leaders.
“Serving as pope in the mold of Saint Francis of Assisi I think obviously spoke volumes and his commitment and focus on the poor, said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).
He pushed world leaders to care for the poor and for migrants.
During last year’s fiercely fought presidential election Pope Francis urged Catholics to choose the lesser evil criticizing both candidates for their respective positions on abortion and immigration.
Former president Barack Obama says, “Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people.”
Former president Joe Biden was the second Catholic elected President of the United States, he wrote, “Pope Francis was the people’s pope,” adding., “I am better for having known him.”
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