A Meeting Amid Mourning: Trump and Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’s Funeral

VATICAN CITY - 26 April 2025

On 26 April 2025, the funeral of Pope Francis was held at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, drawing an estimated 200,000 mourners and over 130 world leaders. Among the attendees were U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose brief meeting prior to the ceremony garnered significant attention due to its potential implications for the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.​

President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately inside St Peter’s Basilica for approximately 15 minutes before the funeral service. This marked their first face-to-face meeting since a contentious Oval Office exchange in February 2025. The White House described the discussion as “very productive,” though specific details were not disclosed. Ukrainian officials indicated that further talks were anticipated later that day.

The meeting occurred against the backdrop of President Trump’s recent assertions that Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal” to end the war. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the day before, suggesting intensified diplomatic efforts.

During the funeral, Trump and Zelenskyy were seated in close proximity, a placement some interpreted as a final gesture of Pope Francis’s commitment to peace and reconciliation. Zelenskyy’s arrival at St Peter’s Square was met with spontaneous applause from the assembled crowd, reflecting widespread support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict.​

The funeral mass was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who lauded Pope Francis’s dedication to compassion, inclusivity, and support for marginalised communities. The ceremony included the Rite of Sealing, wherein a summary of the Pope’s achievements, a rosary, and commemorative coins were placed in the coffin before it was sealed with wax.

Following the mass, a 5.5 km funeral procession led to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis was interred. This burial site choice marked the first time in over a century that a pope was laid to rest outside Vatican City, aligning with Francis’s wishes for a more humble and accessible final resting place.

The convergence of global leaders at the funeral, particularly the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, underscored the Vatican’s role as a diplomatic nexus. While the funeral primarily served to honour Pope Francis’s legacy, it also facilitated critical dialogues that may influence the trajectory of international relations, especially concerning the conflict in Ukraine.

Image: Ukraine Presidential Office

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