Melania Trump found herself in a difficult situation at Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Instead of quietly celebrating her 55th birthday with her family in New York, she was surrounded by political rivals. The funeral brought together more than 50 world leaders, including former President Joe Biden, former First Lady Jill Biden, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The atmosphere was full of tension. Melania and Donald Trump were already in the spotlight due to their ongoing disagreements with Biden. Just before they flew to Rome, Trump blamed Biden for the war in Ukraine, saying, “This is Biden’s war.” The political problems between the two men were fresh, and the mood at the funeral was far from friendly.
As the funeral continued, a surprising moment was revealed by a lip reader. Forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, speaking to The Daily Mail, explained that Melania had quietly whispered something to her husband during the service. She told Trump, “You should do it.” She repeated herself, urging him to shake hands. Reluctantly, Trump then extended his hand, first to the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and later to other leaders, including Estonia’s president, Alar Karis, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
The congregation are invited to offer the sign of peace – by shaking each other’s hands.
Cameras quickly pan to the US president, who, after a short pause and a word from Melania, begins shaking hands with other world leaders. https://t.co/Id7P7vW11O
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/SLAqNKbS7S
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 26, 2025
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
The “Sign of Peace” moment during the three-hour Catholic mass invited everyone to shake hands, but Trump hesitated. As others around him took part in the ritual, Trump simply watched. Melania, noticing the awkwardness, stepped in and helped him avoid a diplomatic mistake. Her quick thinking saved him from missing the critical moment in front of the other world leaders.
This wasn’t just a personal issue between Trump and Biden. Their relationship had been strained for months due to ongoing political battles. Trump had recently criticized Biden, even blaming him for causing “needless pain and sleepless nights” for American families. This political tension was still alive, making the funeral feel even more uncomfortable for both men. Melania, caught in the middle, had to keep her composure in a room full of people with whom her husband had serious conflicts.
Another source of tension was the strained relationship between Nancy Pelosi and the Bidens. Pelosi had played a role in pushing Biden to step aside during the 2024 campaign to make room for Kamala Harris. When asked if she had made peace with the Bidens, Pelosi said, “No, I haven’t.” Jill Biden also admitted to feeling hurt by Pelosi’s actions, calling it disappointing. All of these tensions added to the uncomfortable atmosphere at the funeral.
Despite all of this, Melania had to maintain her grace and composure.
As many experts on diplomacy suggest, when leaders attend major events, they must act not as individuals but as representatives of their nations.
Featured image via Screengrab
