The funeral ceremony for Pope Francis featured numerous noteworthy developments, including the second-ever meeting between the US president and Ursula von der Leyen and the suggestive Trump-Zelenskyy summit.
Tens of thousands of individuals and over 100 official delegations, including chiefs of state such as US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attended the Mass for the late leader of the Catholic Church, which was held outdoors in St. Peter’s Square.
Additionally, prominent European figures, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were present.
Pope Francis’ funeral was also one of the most significant international gatherings of the year due to the presence of numerous world leaders.
The following are five pivotal moments from the day:
1. The spontaneous mini-summit between Trump and Zelenskyy
An impromptu encounter at the Vatican produced one of the most striking images.
The presidency of Kyiv has released photographs that depict Zelenskyy, Trump, Macron, and Starmer congregating in a marble hall prior to the memorial. Macron is seen placing a supportive hand on Zelenskyy’s shoulder.
Additionally, Trump and Zelenskyy engaged in a 15-minute private conversation on eye-to-eye terms within St. Peter’s Basilica. The absence of any aides or advisors in the vicinity of the two individuals, who were seated face-to-face in the center of a marble hall, suggested that they were engaged in a private and direct conversation.
2. The unexpected’sign of peace’ between Trump and Macron
Trump participated in the Catholic ritual known as the “sign of peace” during the funeral Mass, which was another noteworthy moment.
He exchanged handshakes with his immediate neighbors, including Estonian President Alar Karis and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, with whom he recently played golf in Florida.
However, he also extended his hand to shake palms with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was seated a short distance away.
In the Catholic liturgy, the “sign of peace” is a tradition that takes place after the Our Father and before Communion. The congregation is invited to offer a gesture of peace to one another, which is typically a handshake, bow, or embrace, depending on the individual tradition.
The greeting with Macron was facilitated by last-minute modifications to the front-row seating arrangements, as Vatican protocol was suspended for this unprecedented event.
The funeral’s international significance was underscored by the fact that Trump and First Lady Melania, as well as Zelenskyy, were granted front-row seats alongside other prominent leaders.
3. The second meeting between Trump and Ursula von der Leyen
President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen exchanged a handshake on the steps of St. Peter’s Square.
It was their first encounter since the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2020.
Despite recent transatlantic tensions regarding trade tariffs, the interaction appeared cordial, despite its briefness and confinement to formal courtesies.
On Saturday, the Commission’s primary spokesperson, Paula Pino, informed journalists that President von der Leyen and President Trump had reached an agreement to meet during their brief conversation.
Von der Leyen stated on social media platform X that she “had good exchanges” with several of the leaders who had gathered to pay their final tribute to the pontiff.
It is still uncertain how many other leaders Trump encountered during his brief visit to Rome. Reports indicate that he also briefly conversed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as with William, the Prince of Wales.
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