Melania Trump appears grave and mourns the 'People's Pope' on her 55th birthday

Melania Trump grieves for 'People's Pope' on her 55th birthday while receiving comfort from her spouse Donald Trump in an uncommon show of tenderness. The First Lady accompanied the US president to Vatican City on Saturday for Pope Francis's funeral service, following the Argentine religious leader's death at 88 on Easter Monday.

The presidential couple, married for two decades, clasped hands as they proceeded toward their funeral seats in St Peter's Square. Melania adhered to Vatican funeral protocols by wearing a black blazer with a modest, mid-calf pencil skirt. Catholic Church guidelines require women to dress in black with closed-toe footwear, so Melania selected simple pumps. She enhanced her outfit with an elegant black lace veil, matching gloves, and a minimalist diamond-adorned cross necklace, all complying with the strict dress regulations.

The First Lady maintained a serious demeanor and stayed close to Mr Trump. Her presence at the service was deemed vital for maintaining cordial relations between him and former president Joe Biden. Referring to Melania's function at the funeral, which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky would also attend, Trump informed reporters in Washington: "She will enjoy a wonderful birthday. She has a working birthday."

Mr Biden, 82, sat two rows behind Mr Trump, who informed reporters near Air Force One that meeting the former president in Rome was "not a priority." He also admitted ignorance about the Bidens' attendance at the basilica funeral. "Oh he is? I wasn't aware," he told Air Force One reporters. When questioned about potentially meeting the former president, Trump answered: "It's not a priority for me. It really isn't."

Similar to Melania, former first lady Jill, 73, dressed in a black blazer and skirt for the solemn event, assisting her husband down the basilica steps. She completed her outfit with black sheer hosiery and pumps as specified in the dress guidelines, carrying a basic black clutch. Jill also wore a delicate lace veil over her head. Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, attended too, seated beside Mr Zelensky.

Similar to Melania, former US first lady Jill, 73, donned a black blazer with a skirt for the somber event, assisting her husband down the basilica steps. She complemented her attire with black sheer stockings and heels as specified in the dress guidelines, and brought a plain black clutch to the ceremony. Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, also participated, sitting beside Mr Zelensky and India's president Droupadi Murmu.

Brigitte Macron, spouse of French president Emmanuel Macron, selected a black turtleneck tucked into an extended, pleated skirt, coupled with a short jacket. The French first lady enhanced her ensemble with a slender belt and straightforward handbag, arriving at the funeral while holding her husband's arm.

Like her American counterpart, Ms Zelenska chose to wear a formal black blazer, extended skirt, and dark stockings as allowed by Vatican dress regulations.

Mr Trump and Melania arrived in Rome yesterday after sharing an unusual, affectionate moment before the First Lady's birthday. In a surprising public show of affection, the president gently placed his arm around Melania's waist as they left the White House on Friday - before Mr Trump revealed the couple's plans for a quiet birthday dinner "on Air Force One."

"I will treat her to dinner on the Boeing. I will take her for dinner on Air Force One," he stated, mentioning the presidential aircraft. Mr Trump also confessed he hadn't had "much opportunity to purchase gifts" for his wife, ahead of what will be a hurried trip to Rome before he and Melania return to New Jersey after the funeral service concludes.

Today represents another challenging birthday for the US First Lady, who celebrated her 54th year during her husband's hush money trial last May. Melania previously characterized meeting the late pontiff as an experience she would "never forget" in a 2017 post on X (formerly Twitter).

Following the Vatican's rigid dress code for the funeral, Melania chose to wear a black blazer and modest, calf-length pencil skirt. She added an elegant black lace veil along with matching gloves, and wore a simple diamond-decorated cross necklace, conforming to the strict dress requirements for the event.

The US President occupied a prominent position at the Pope's funeral on Saturday as he and his wife Melania stood in the front row among hundreds of foreign officials and royalty. Trump, then a presidential candidate, was in New York battling hush money allegations regarding a payment made to adult film performer Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had a relationship with Trump.

He rejects these allegations. He was later found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents. His thoughts were with his spouse that day one year ago, when he positioned himself outside the courthouse in New York City.

"I want to begin by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday. It would be pleasant to be with her but I'm at a courthouse for an unfair trial," he remarked. "Everyone knows it. Yesterday was significant. But I must start by wishing Melania happy birthday. She's in Florida," he further stated.

This year signifies Melania's first birthday back in the White House since Mr Trump won reelection after achieving a remarkable victory over competitor Kamala Harris.

Melania previously characterized meeting the late religious leader as an event she would "always remember" in a 2017 message on X (previously Twitter). Her comment followed Melania and Mr Trump's flight to the Vatican for their initial overseas journey as the United States' president and First Lady almost eight years ago.

"Today's visit with His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex is one I'll always remember," she wrote. "I felt honored by the privilege. Blessings to all."

A picture from their meeting showed Pope Francis blessing the rosary beads held by Melania, whose spokesperson verified that she was indeed Catholic.

Mr Trump was the earliest world leader to confirm his attendance at the funeral, which is anticipated to attract over 300,000 mourners, after the Pope died on Easter Monday following a stroke.

"Melania and I will attend Pope Francis's funeral in Rome. We anticipate being present!" he posted on Truth Social on April 21.

The US President occupied a key position at the Pope's funeral on Saturday as he and his wife Melania stood in the first row among hundreds of international officials and nobility.

The President was positioned between Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Estonia's President Alar Karis. Also in the front row was French President Emmanuel Macron and members of European royal households.

The seating arrangement followed a sophisticated order of precedence, with Argentina - the Pope's birth country - and Italy at the front. Other monarchs, heads of state, and government leaders were then arranged alphabetically by their countries' names in French - used because French is regarded as the language of diplomacy.

Melania Trump Chooses Dolce & Gabbana Trenchcoat for White House Departure for Pope’s Funeral

WHEN IN ROME: On her way to Joint Base Andrews to board Air Force One for a trip to Italy to attend Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday morning, First Lady Melania Trump left the White House on Friday wearing a soft gray trench coat by Dolce & Gabbana. She completed her outfit with large black sunglasses, black pointed-toe flats from Roger Vivier, and a black Hermès Birkin handbag. Dolce & Gabbana is one of Melania Trump’s favorite fashion brands; she also chose a black coat from the label and wore a black lace mantilla during her 2017 visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican, alongside President Donald Trump.

President Trump is among the 50 world leaders expected to attend Saturday’s service, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square before St. Peter’s Basilica. About 200,000 people are expected to gather for the mass honoring the 88-year-old pontiff from Argentina. Millions more are anticipated to watch the historic ceremony through television broadcasts and the Vatican’s live online stream.

Reflecting the public’s strong interest in matters related to the papacy, viewership for the film “Conclave” jumped 283 percent, reaching 7 million minutes streamed just days after the 266th pope passed away on Monday.

For her official 2025 White House portrait, the twice-serving first lady again turned to Dolce & Gabbana, wearing a sharp black jacket with wide satin lapels over an open white blouse. Photographer Régine Mahaux captured the portrait. Her tuxedo-style outfit was finished with a Ralph Lauren cummerbund. Melania Trump also wore a Dolce & Gabbana outfit for her 2017 official photo.

More recently, the former model went for a Dolce & Gabbana menswear-inspired outfit — a black velvet tuxedo with satin lapels — for February’s White House Governors’ Dinner. She paired the look with a Ralph Lauren cummerbund and a crisp white shirt. During the president’s inauguration festivities in January, she wore a white tuxedo-style shirt by Dolce & Gabbana and topped it off with a Saint Laurent jacket at the Candlelight Dinner held in the National Building Museum.

Earlier this week, at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Melania wore a look similar to Friday’s outfit — a vanilla-hued belted leather trench coat by Mackage, matched with low-heeled Roger Vivier flats.

After touching down at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome on Friday, the president and first lady were scheduled to head to the U.S. Embassy, located in Villa Taverna — a 15th-century residence originally commissioned by Cardinal Consalvi. Following their brief stay in Italy and after attending the funeral, the Trumps planned to return to the United States for an overnight stay at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.