During his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis met world leaders and celebrities alike. Among them were Donald and Melania Trump, who visited the Vatican during their first term in the White House. The couple recently confirmed they will attend the pope’s funeral.

A Meeting Marked by Confusion

Their 2017 meeting with the pope began awkwardly. Pope Francis tried to speak Italian with Melania, who had claimed to be fluent. But did she truly understand him? One expert now says she didn’t—and that language confusion disrupted their encounter.

Pope Francis Has Passed Away

The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis’ death on April 21. He was 88. Born in Buenos Aires, the pope made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.

“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said on Vatican TV. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

Declining Health in His Final Years

In recent years, Pope Francis struggled with serious health problems. He had only one functioning lung and underwent two intestinal surgeries. Just a week before his death, he had been discharged after a 38-day hospital stay for a respiratory issue.

According to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the pope died from a stroke followed by a coma and heart failure. His passing was confirmed using electrocardiographic thanatography.

Global Leader and Diplomat

Pope Francis traveled extensively, visiting 68 countries. He met numerous U.S. presidents—starting with Barack Obama in 2014.

Obama praised their meeting, highlighting shared values like human rights and caring for the poor. Though their political views differed, Obama said he was “extremely moved” by the pope’s moral insights.

Addressing Congress and Meeting Biden

In 2015, Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress—becoming the first pontiff ever to do so. Thousands gathered on Capitol Hill to witness the historic moment. That same day, he met with then–Vice President Joe Biden.

Tension Between Trump and Francis

Before their 2017 meeting, Donald Trump had criticized the pope. In 2013, he mocked Francis for paying his own hotel bill, calling it “not Pope-like.” Later, he accused the pope of being “too political.”

Their clash deepened in 2015. After Trump promoted deportations and a border wall, Pope Francis questioned whether he was truly Christian. Trump fired back, calling the pope’s remarks “disgraceful.”

Awkward Moments at the Vatican

Despite their history, Donald and Melania Trump visited the Vatican in 2017. The meeting started stiffly. Pope Francis greeted Melania in Italian, believing she spoke the language.

The First Lady, originally from Slovenia, had previously claimed fluency in five languages: English, Slovenian, French, German, and Italian. However, when Francis asked her a simple question—in Italian—she didn’t understand.

“Potica?” Confusion Over Cake

Francis asked Melania if she fed Donald “potica,” a traditional Slovenian cake. She didn’t respond at first and turned to a translator for help. After the explanation, she replied, “Potica, yes.”

A Closer Look at Melania’s Language Claims

Author Mary Jordan revealed more about the meeting in her biography The Art of Her Deal. According to Jordan, Melania responded to the pope in English—even when addressed in Italian.

“She looked at him and said nothing,” Jordan wrote. When the pope gave her a rosary, she replied, “Oh, I would love it. Thank you. Grazie.”

Melania later mentioned visiting a hospital “for bambinos.” Though she used a few Italian words, her reliance on English raised questions.

Can She Really Speak Five Languages?

Jordan doubts Melania’s language skills. She noted that Melania is rarely seen using anything beyond Slovenian and English in public. Even when meeting foreign dignitaries, Melania relies on translators.

“To say she can speak five languages would make her comparable to Jacqueline Kennedy,” Jordan observed. Jackie Kennedy famously spoke fluent French and held long conversations with Pope John XXIII.

The White House never provided evidence of Melania’s claimed fluency.

Final Thoughts

Was Melania truly fluent, or did she exaggerate to enhance her image? Either way, her encounter with Pope Francis left a lasting impression—both for what was said, and what wasn’t.

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