A moment of whispered conversation between former US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, at the historic funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City today became the subject of international curiosity as lip-reading experts claimed to be able to decipher the private words spoken during the solemn ceremony.
World leaders, religious leaders, and throngs of mourners gathered at Saint Peter’s Basilica to honour the late pope, whose death on Easter Monday at the age of 88 sparked a global outpouring of grief.
Among them was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Trump on the spur of the moment before the ceremony, their first in-person meeting since a contentious disagreement over military assistance and geopolitical strategy in February.
The ceremony gained diplomatic nuance from the optics of their brief but friendly encounter against the backdrop of an ongoing war, highlighting the funeral’s function as an odd forum for global discussion.
Trump, wearing a striking cobalt-blue suit that stood out from the congregation’s sombre black garb, attracted notice for both his choice of clothing and his closeness to the centre altar as the two-hour ritual began.
According to live broadcasts, the Trumps were seated in a prominent section, flanked by European heads of state and senior clerics, despite initial rumours that suggested they may be moved to remote seating due to protocol hierarchy.
Melania paid homage to her fervent faith and the Vatican’s dress code for ladies by dressing in a fitted black jacket, a knee-length pencil skirt, and a lace mantilla veil, all in accordance with traditional Catholic burial practices.
Her modest yet sophisticated outfit was reminiscent of the clothing worn by earlier Catholic First Ladies like Jacqueline Kennedy, and her calm manner stood in stark contrast to her husband’s more active demeanour.
As the congregation stood for a hymn halfway through the service, cameras saw Trump leaning in Melania’s direction and making a quiet comment.
After closely examining the video, forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, who has over 20 years of expertise examining high-profile cases, came to the conclusion that Trump said, “I’ll go over and speak to him.”
The statement’s ambiguity—whether it was a reference to a religious leader, a political ally, or another guest—generated rapid conjecture. According to Hickling, Melania’s response—a brief “side eye”
followed by a neutral look—suggested implicit disapproval or caution, a pattern that fans of the couple’s public exchanges are accustomed to seeing.
Even though it was brief, the incident sparked new conversations about the complexity of their relationship, which are frequently examined through the prism of Melania’s calmness and Trump’s tendency to make spontaneous statements.
There were multiple levels of political and personal symbolism associated with the Trumps’ participation. Born in Slovenia and converted from Lutheranism as a young woman, Melania has always had a close yet personal relationship with her religion.
She later called the act “humbling” in a social media post after giving Pope Francis a set of rosary beads for blessing during a 2017 trip to the Vatican. Her function as a liaison between Trump’s administration and the Pope’s support of under-represented groups was emphasised during the meeting, which also covered immigration and children’s welfare.
Trump, on the other hand, has had a more transactional relationship with the Catholic Church. He claims to have won “by a lot” of Catholic votes in previous elections, despite his Presbyterian background and subsequent identity as a “non-denominational Christian.”
He presented his participation as a reference to this group in an interview with Fox News before to the funeral, saying, “I just thought it was out of respect.” It’s natural for me to be here because I received 56% of the Catholic vote.
However, considering Pope Francis’s outspoken criticism of Trump’s policies on economic inequality, refugee rights, and climate change, political commentators pointed out the irony of his visit.
The actual funeral, which combined traditional customs with contemporary pageantry, including a procession of cardinals dressed in crimson vestments, Gregorian chants that reverberated through the basilica’s vaulted ceilings, and eulogies that highlighted the Pope’s legacy of kindness and world peace.
“French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Brazilian” Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva were among the notable guests, demonstrating the pontiff’s cross-continental and cross-ideological appeal. However, despite the solemnity, there were some minor disputes among the group.
A reminder of the complex relationship between religion and statecraft, diplomatic procedures governed sitting arrangements, with disagreements apparently developing over placements indicative of geopolitical connections.
The day struck a profoundly personal chord for Melania. In contrast to her husband’s more theatrical style, many close to her characterise the burial as a time for spiritual introspection.
Her selection of the mantilla, a veil traditionally worn by Catholic women at papal audiences, demonstrated respect for custom, and her composed manner was reminiscent of earlier First Ladies balancing their private religious beliefs with their public responsibilities.
Trump’s blue suit, which was reminiscent of his out-of-the-ordinary attire at previous sombre events, including a brown suit he wore at a 2014 press conference, elicited conflicting responses. While some criticised it as a breach of decorum, supporters hailed it as a symbol of his “anti-establishment” image.
Even while it was small in comparison to the rest of the day’s events, the lip-reading episode highlighted the Trumps’ constant surveillance. Hickling highlighted the difficulties of her trade, pointing out that accuracy relies on camera angles, facial expressions, and contextual cues.
Her work has been used in court cases and celebrity scandals. She warned, “Without audio, interpretations remain educated guesses,” even if her study supported trends in Trump’s prior conduct, including his propensity to strike up spontaneous talks in official situations.
The Trumps left with other mourners as the ritual came to an end with the sad tolling of bells and the final recitation of the Pope’s body, marking yet another chapter in the nexus of politics, religion, and international spectacle.
The day could have provided Melania with a peaceful opportunity to connect with her spiritual heritage, but for Trump, it was just another chance to bolster his reputation among a crucial vote constituency.
The day could have provided Melania with a peaceful opportunity to connect with her spiritual heritage, but for Trump, it was just another chance to bolster his reputation among a crucial vote constituency.
