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Trump in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral: meeting with Zelensky and world leaders

The US president attended the Pontiff’s funeral. On the sidelines, talks with Zelensky, Macron, Starmer and Meloni

Trump in Rome for final farewell to Pope: talks with Zelensky and other leaders
Donald Trump’s mission to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis lasted about 12 hours. The US president, accompanied by his wife Melania, landed in the capital late in the evening of 25 April and attended the funeral of the Pontiff, who died on 21 April.

Before the ceremony, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A conversation described as ‘very productive’ by the White House and ‘constructive’ by Kiev, which was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting, which took place quickly before the start of the funeral, may have helped bring the parties closer together with a view to future negotiations on the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s day began around 9.15am with his departure from Villa Taverna, the US ambassador’s residence. At 9.40am, the president entered St Peter’s Basilica, paying his respects to the coffin of Pope Francis before taking his place in the square for the ceremony.

On the sidelines of the funeral, Trump also had brief meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During the function, he exchanged the sign of peace with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Emmanuel Macron.

The American delegation was among the first to leave St Peter’s Square at the end of the ceremony. For Trump, it was a light trip full of meetings and symbols, before returning to the United States.

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