The world woke up on Easter Monday to the news that Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had passed away.

As messages and tributes flooded in from across the globe, one statement that quickly drew attention came from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In stark contrast to the heartfelt and reflective words shared by other world leaders, Trump’s brief message simply read: “Rest in peace Pope Francis. May God bless him and all who loved him.”

While President Obama praised the late pontiff for his humility, compassion, and efforts to shake the world into moral action, citing his powerful symbolic acts like washing the feet of the marginalized, Trump’s message came across as impersonal and detached.

President Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic, remembered Pope Francis as one of the most consequential leaders of our time—someone who tirelessly advocated for peace, the poor, the environment, and the voiceless.

Biden, who had met the Pope multiple times, emphasized Francis’s unwavering mission to serve the vulnerable, both in Argentina and around the world.

Pope Francis was widely seen as a moral compass in an increasingly divided world.

He challenged power, embraced the marginalized, and turned symbolic gestures into real acts of service—providing showers, laundry, and haircuts to the homeless right in the heart of the Vatican.

His compassion extended to survivors of clergy abuse, victims of human trafficking, and those forgotten by society.

In contrast, Trump’s relationship with the Pope was notably strained.

Francis had once openly criticized Trump, saying a person focused on building walls instead of bridges was “not Christian.”

Photos of their official meeting revealed tension, with Pope Francis appearing visibly uncomfortable.

Their differences were ideological and deeply rooted—Francis preached compassion, inclusion, and sacrifice, while Trump’s political career has often been marked by exclusionary rhetoric and a focus on self-interest.

Even in matters of global conflict, the divide was clear.

While Trump proposed controversial development plans in Gaza, Francis used his final public moments to call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid for the suffering.

The contrast between the two figures has sparked reflection and debate, particularly among Christians.

At a time when moral clarity is needed more than ever, the question isn’t whether Trump’s statement was appropriate—it’s why anyone would choose to follow a man so at odds with the example set by a Pope who devoted his life to lifting others.