Lip reader reveals Melania Trump's five-word advice to Donald at Pope Francis' funeral

Melania Trump was seen advising President Donald Trump on what he should do during a moment of Pope Francis' funeral proceedings
UPDATED MAY 5, 2025
Melania Trump quietly advised her husband Donald Trump on how to participate in the 'Sign of Peace' ritual (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Melania Trump quietly advised her husband Donald Trump on how to participate in the 'Sign of Peace' ritual (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN: Melania Trump arrived in Rome alongside President Donald Trump to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025.

Held in the heart of Vatican City, the emotional ceremony drew world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, former US president Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Prince William.

Amid the solemn proceedings, a quiet but telling exchange between the first lady and her husband caught the attention of a lip reader.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 26: US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

What did Melania Trump tell Donald Trump at Pope Francis' funeral?

During the solemn funeral of Pope Francis at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, a brief but notable moment between Melania and Donald Trump caught the attention of onlookers—and a lip-reading expert.



 

As hundreds of thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the late pontiff, who died on April 21, Melania was reportedly seen advising her husband on how to respond during a key part of the ceremony.

The first lady and President Trump had arrived earlier in the day from Washington, joining a host of global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

According to a report by UNILAD, a brief exchange occurred during the two-hour service when attendees were invited to offer a “sign of peace” by shaking hands with those nearby.

Lip reading expert Nicola Hickling, speaking on behalf of Oddspedia to The Express, claims Melania turned to Trump and quietly said, “You should go do it.”

She allegedly repeated the five-word suggestion before Trump appeared to reply, “Oh, alright.” Moments later, he was seen shaking hands with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and France’s President Macron.

 US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump during the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Before leaving, Trump reflected briefly on Pope Francis' death, telling MSNBC: “[He] loved the world, actually, and he was just a good man. I thought he was a fantastic kind of a guy."

The 47th president also noted the diplomatic opportunities the funeral presented, saying, “It's going to be very interesting. We're going to meet with a lot of the foreign leaders, they want to meet.”

He added optimistically, “Trade deals are going very well. I think Russia and Ukraine, I think they are coming along, we hope, very fragile. And Iran I think is going very well. We'll see what happens. We're working on plenty of things.”

Body language expert weighs in on Donald Trump's brief handshakes at funeral

Following Melania Trump’s quiet suggestion during the funeral service, lip reader Nicola Hickling decoded what she believes was her husband’s seven-word response: “I’ll go over and speak to him.” Hickling noted that Melania offered no verbal reply—just a pointed "side eye." As for who "him" referred to? That remains unclear. 

Former U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Former US president Joe Biden arrives at the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Providing further insight into the moment, body language expert Judi James described Melania’s whisper as “rather sweet”.

According to Irish Star, James said, “It took a rather sweet, smiling whisper from Melania to warn Trump that they were to participate in this ritual known as the 'Sign of Peace,' greeting others around them to register peace in the world.”

After exchanging brief handshakes, Trump reportedly engaged in a more pronounced interaction with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Ukraine's Frist Lady Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, President of India, Droupadi Murmu, President of Hungary, Tamás Sulyok and President of Honduras Xiomara Castro arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, President of India Droupadi Murmu, President of Hungary Tamas Sulyok, and President of Honduras Xiomara Castro arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

As he clasped Macron’s hand and pulled it toward his torso, the moment took on a tone of familiarity and dominance. James observed that Macron’s steady eye contact and warm smile suggested mutual respect, but Trump’s shifting gaze midway through the handshake signaled a break in focus.

“The two leaders clearly referenced their long-standing relationship here, although Trump did turn it into a distracted greeting at the end, turning his gaze to communicate with another leader while still clasping Macron's hand in his own,” she noted.

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