The Trumps met the Pope today.
Dour and sour formal photos are swirling around online, but if you look more closely - or Google a larger selection, the meeting and greeting with the Holy Father was cordial and warm. Melania even joked with the Pope. She looked beautiful as ever.
After greeting the president of Bambino Gesu hospital,
who accompanied Melania Trump on her visit,
she laid flowers at the feet of a statue of Our Lady,
made the sign of the Cross, and paused silently before Mary.
- Aleteia
I love her.
He blessed her rosary beads too :)
ReplyDeleteMelania and Ivanka were flawless, as always. They represented us well. I got the impression Melania especially enjoyed this meeting with His Holiness, and I think he enjoyed meeting her, too. It was reported on the BBC website that she is a Catholic, which I did not realize. As for Donald, I think he did has done a good job on this trip, behaving diplomatically and correctly. He actually sounded uncharacteristically humble and very honored to meet Pope Francis in his comments afterward. Good for all of them!
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that her parents were Catholic but she was never baptized because her father embraced Communism and rejected the Church. I am praying this meeting with the Holy Father will plant a seed of inquiry in Melania (and hopefully Donald as well).
DeleteThat sounds likely. Slovenia is very Catholic, but sadly was under the Iron Curtain. As you point out, Melania's father was a Communist official. Melania seems to have a genuine affection and respect for the Church and Pope Francis regardless, as does the President. She seemed to have felt at home in the beautiful Catholic atmosphere of Vatican City, and with the Pope and other Catholic clergymen. His Holiness may be aware of her dedication to her vocation of motherhood, which may have especially pleased him as well. As for Mr. Trump, it is apparent to me that after this meeting he also respects and admires Pope Francis. As you say, wouldn't it be a splendid blessing if this encounter and the Holy Spirit moves both Melania and Mr. Trump to a closer understanding and even the "seed of inquiry," as you beautifully put it!
DeleteThe Pope traditionally gives rosaries as a gift. Usually though those are in a box. Perhaps this was Melania's personal one. I am tired of all the negative snipping comments about facial expressions and what they mean. I am glad Trump met with the Pope and I pray something good comes from it.
ReplyDeleteWhen she married Trump she carried rosary beads instead of a bouquet - perhaps those are the beads he blessed?
DeleteI'm tired about the negative reports as well - it seems to have gone very well and Trump was impressed with the Pope. There are beautiful photos online of Melania laying flowers and crossing herself before a statue of OL of Grace before visiting children - she also spent time alone in prayer. Also, Ivanka touched the foot of bronze St. Peter Enthroned near the Altar of the Confessio. I was very impressed by their reverence - my respect for them soared.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They were first class all the way ... dressed beautifully too. I thank our Lady Maria and St. Joseph too. I heard President Trump tell our Holy Father he plans to read all three of his Apostolic exhortations as well.
DeleteMay they untie for world peace.
Looking on from Africa I'd like to congratulate the American people with their current First Lady and with Ivanka Trump as seen on this tour thus far. These females have "class" and beauty, at least when in the public eye. And they don't try to steal the limelight. In his own weird way I think Trump appreciates them. As did Pope Francis and the Pope's "gentlemen" as can be seen (sometimes almost dotingly!) on the various videos available online.
ReplyDeleteI read on another nlog that Melania is a practicing Catholic. That explains the normal veil and asking the pope to bless her rosary and why the Donald is served fish sticks on Friday. What? I made up the part about fish sticks.
ReplyDeleteShe married Donald outside the Church so she can't be practicing. Or maybe they are living as brother and sister....
Delete(sits on my hands to prevent myself from typing out the obvious Amoris Laetitia comment...)
DeleteThe negative reports simply reveal the biases of the underlying "journalists".
ReplyDeleteAs far as one can tell without relying on "spin", the encounter went as well as could be expected. I doubt the Pope and the President will be playing golf together anytime soon (Papa Bergoglio is a football kind of guy, anyway), but they certainly seem to have had a fruitful discussion. =)