Former President Donald Trump joined world leaders and mourners at the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. He arrived in Rome after an overnight flight from Washington D.C., joining the throngs of people who had gathered to pay their respects to the late pontiff.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took a moment to view the Pope’s coffin before the ceremony began. The casket, previously open for public viewing for several days, was sealed prior to the funeral service, which drew an estimated 200,000 people to the Vatican.
Despite the solemn occasion, Trump’s presence also injected a layer of political intrigue into the proceedings. The gathering of global leaders in Rome presented an opportunity for ad-hoc bilateral meetings, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Russian President Vladimir Putin was absent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in attendance. There was speculation that Trump might meet with Zelensky following the funeral to discuss the ongoing peace process and bridge disagreements over the terms of a potential peace deal.
In a post on Truth Social the previous evening, Trump had expressed optimism about a potential breakthrough in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, stating that they were “very close to a deal” and urging both sides to meet at the highest levels to finalize the agreement. He emphasized the need to stop the bloodshed and reiterated his commitment to facilitating an end to the war.
The juxtaposition of global mourning and high-stakes international diplomacy made for a complex and noteworthy event. Trump’s presence, and his stated involvement in ongoing peace negotiations, underscored the intricate interplay between religious observance and the continuing political landscape.
