Asked to respond to the criticism, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, “President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty.”

Trump's post came during Novemdiales, the period of mourning observed by the Catholic Church, following the death of Pope Francis.

President Donald Trump had an interesting thought about who should succeed Pope Francis ahead of the papal conclave on May 7.