PRESIDENT TRUMP AND FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP: Their Visit to the Vatican

By Marielena Montesino de Stuart

A somewhat restrained view of Francis– during President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s historic visit to the Vatican

First Lady Melania Trump during the blessing of her Rosary.

As hard as it may be, I’m going to try to be on my best behavior today regarding my opinion of Francis’s activities and pronouncements in the Vatican. I’m doing this in respectful regard for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who have embarked on a stellar and admirable first trip abroad. We cannot thank them enough for their effort.

So, I will begin by quoting the White House’s brief statement regarding President Trump’s meeting with Francis in the Vatican and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin:

“President Donald J. Trump met today with His Holiness Pope Francis and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. This was the President’s first engagement with the Holy See. In their meetings, the President focused on how the United States, the Holy See, and the international community can work together to combat terrorism.

The Pope and the President discussed how religious communities can combat human suffering in crisis regions, such as Syria, Libya, and ISIS-controlled territory. The President affirmed that the United States and the Holy See share many fundamental values and seek to engage globally to promote human rights, combat human suffering, and protect religious freedom.

The President also renewed the commitment of the United States to fighting global famine. As he relayed at the Vatican, the United States is proud to announce more than $300 million in anti-famine spending, focused on the crises in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria.”

A Classy First Lady and Respect for tradition

The First Lady wore traditional black, and a beautiful mantilla. This act of respect for the traditions of the Catholic Church have been noted and applauded all over the world– vis–à-vis Francis’s “progressive” administration, which has turned away from dress codes, formalities and tradition. Visit this link for an eyeful on these modernist trends in the Vatican.

Hey! So far I’m doing well. I haven’t made a single negative observation about Francis.

I thank President Trump and our very classy First Lady Melania Trump for their tireless effort during this extremely rigorous trip. I am including below the exhausting schedule that the President and the First Lady have had to follow (so far)– during the President’s first trip abroad.

Someone has to say the truth…

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

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President Trump’s schedule for Wednesday, 5/24/17

All Times Local // Eastern Time

8:25 AM // 2:25 AM The president and first lady participate in an arrival ceremony at the Vatican – Vatican City
8:40 AM // 2:40 AM The president participates in an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis – Vatican City

9:05 AM // 3:05 AM The president and first lady participate in an expanded audience with His Holiness Pope Francis – Vatican City

9:25 AM // 3:25 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin – Vatican City
10:00 AM // 4:00 AM The president and first lady tour the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica – Vatican City
11:30 AM // 5:30 AM the president participates in a bilateral meeting with President Sergio Mattarella of Italy – Quirinal Palace
12:35 AM // 6:35 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni of Italy – Villa Taverna
1:55 PM // 7:55 AM The president and first lady depart Rome, Italy en route to Brussels, Belgium – Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport
3:55 PM // 9:55 AM The president and first lady arrive in Brussels, Belgium and participate in an airport welcome ceremony – Brussels International Airport
4:40 PM // 10:40 AM The president and first lady take an official photo with Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium – Royal Palace
5:15 PM // 11:15 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium – Royal Palace

President Trump’s schedule for Tuesday, 5/23/17

All Times Local//Eastern Time

9:50 AM // 2:50 AM The president participates in an arrival ceremony with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority – Presidential Palace, Bethlehem
10:00 AM // 3:00 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with President Abbas – Presidential Palace, Bethlehem
10:40 AM // 3:40 AM The president gives remarks with President Abbas – Presidential Palace, Bethlehem
1:00 PM // 6:00 AM The president and first lady participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem – Yad Vashem
1:15 PM // 6:15 AM The president gives remarks at Yad Vashem – Yad Vashem
2:00 PM // 7:00 AM The president gives remarks at the Israel Museum – Israel Museum
3:45 PM // 8:45 AM The president and first lady depart Tel Aviv, Israel en route to Rome, Italy – Ben Gurion Airport
6:30 PM // 12:30 PM The president and first lady arrive in Rome, Italy – Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport

President Trump’s schedule for Monday, 5/22/2017

All Times Local // Eastern

9:30 AM // 2:30 AM The president and first lady depart Riyadh, Saudi Arabia en route to Tel Aviv, Israel – King Khalid International Airport
12:15 PM // 5:15 AM The president and first lady arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel and participate in the Airport Welcome Ceremony – Ben Gurion International Airport
1:20 PM // 6:20 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with President Reuven Rivlin of Israel – President Rivlin’s Residence
1:55 PM // 6:55 AM The president delivers remarks with President Rivlin – President Rivlin’s Residence
2:15 PM // 7:15 AM The president and first lady visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Church of the Holy Sepulchre
3:25 PM // 8:25 AM The president and first lady visit the Western Wall – Western Wall
6:00 PM // 11:00 AM The president meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel – King David Hotel
7:25 PM // 12:25 PM The president delivers remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu – Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Residence
7:30 PM // 12:30 PM The president and first lady have dinner with Prime Minister and Mrs. Netanyahu – Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Residence

President Trump’s schedule for Saturday – Sunday, 5/20/17 – 5/21/17 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saturday (all times are local//eastern)

9:50 AM // 2:50 AM Arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – King Khalid International Airport
1:30 PM // 6:30 AM President and First Lady participate in the Royal Court Official Arrival Ceremony – The Royal Court Palace
1:45 PM // 6:45 AM President and First Lady participate in the Coffee Ceremony and Presentation of the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal – The Royal Court Palace
2:15 PM // 7:15 AM President and First Lady participate in the Royal Banquet Luncheon – The Royal Court Palace
3:20 PM // 8:20 AM The President participates in a United States – Saudi Arabia bilateral meeting – The Royal Court Palace
3:55 PM // 8:55 AM The President participates in the Signing Ceremony – The Royal Court Palace
5:05 PM // 10:05 AM The President participates in a bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia – The Ritz-Carlton
5:40 PM // 10:40 AM The President participates in a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia – The Ritz-Carlton
8:25 PM // 1:25 PM President and First Lady arrive at Murabba Palace and participate in the Welcome Ceremony – Murabba Palace
8:45 PM // 1:45 PM President and First Lady participate in a reception with King Salman and members of the United States and Saudi delegations – Murabba Palace
8:55 PM // 1:55 PM President and First Lady participate in the Royal Banquet Dinner – Murabba Palace
9:40 PM // 2:40 PM President and First Lady participate in a National Museum Tour – Murabba Palace

Sunday

9:00 AM // 2:00 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the King of Bahrain – The Ritz-Carlton
9:20 AM // 2:20 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the Amir of Qatar – The Ritz-Carlton
9:50 AM // 2:50 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt – The Ritz-Carlton
11:10 AM // 4:10 AM The president participates in a United States Gulf Cooperation Council Meeting – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
12:45 PM // 5:45 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the Amir of Kuwait – The Ritz-Carlton
1:05 PM // 6:05 AM The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Oman – The Ritz-Carlton
2:25 PM // 7:25 AM The president participates in a reception with Heads of State – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
3:00 PM // 8:00 AM The president delivers comments at the Arab Islamic American Summit Luncheon – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
4:15 PM // 9:15 AM The president participates in the Arab Islamic American Summit – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
7:50 PM // 12:50 PM The president participates in the Inauguration of Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology – Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology
8:25 PM // 1:25 PM The president participates in Remarks at Tweeps 2017 – The Ritz-Carlton