'How to deal with big egos': Major Trump snub expected at pope's funeral

President Donald Trump is likely to be greeted with a blunt snub when he arrives for the funeral of Pope Francis, The Daily Beast reported on Friday: a poor seat assignment.

Although Trump confirmed he would attend the funeral earlier than almost any other world leader, per the report, "the thin-skinned president—who famously mocked former President Joe Biden’s placement in the 14th row at Queen Elizabeth II’s 2022 funeral—will be seated several rows back at the state funeral in St Peter’s Basilica."

"While not exactly the nosebleed section, Trump is famously unenthusiastic about playing second fiddle to anyone, and is unlikely to be thrilled with his location," noted the report.

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Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, told the Telegraph — first to break the news — that the service for Francis, renowned for his progressivism and focus on the welfare of the poor, will be a "masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance.”

He added of the seating, “They've been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome — they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content."

Trump's initial announcement on his Truth Social platform that he would attend the funeral, complete with a remark that "we look forward to being there!" drew scorn from some observers over the seemingly excited tone.

The president's public frostiness with the late pope goes back years, to before he was even elected.

In 2016, Francis suggested Trump was not a Christian because of his disdain for destitute migrants. Trump shot back by proclaiming, "If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS's ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened."

He additionally attacked Trump's mass deportation plans for migrants last year, saying, "If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the imbalance. It won't do. This is not the way to solve things."