A Covert Diplomatic Dance
- A Chance Encounter in the Heart of Vatican City
- The Secretive Mastermind
- Controversy Surrounding the Third Chair
Historic Dialogue Transcript: Pope's Farewell Ceremony vs. Trump-Zelensky Conversation; Identifying Monsignor Barese's Role in the Notable Encounter
Approximately three minutes read
If Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky managed a clandestine meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, found nestled within the Chapel of the Holy Font, situated within the illustrious St. Peter's Basilica, surrounded by Renaissance-era mosaics signed by Giovanni Battista Gaulli and Francesco Trevisani, it was due to one man: a 72-year-old priest hailing from Bari, born in Cassano delle Murge, by the name of Leonardo Sapienza. This charismatic individual has held a pivotal position within Vatican geography for more than a decade. He is the prefect of the Pontifical Household, ensuring the Pope's public activities run smoothly.
A Chance Encounter in the Heart of Vatican City
The quick game of chess unfolding during the funeral of the Supreme Pontiff just might have led to a historic and potentially transformative meeting concerning the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Indeed, it was Sapienza who acted swiftly, retrieving three velvet-upholstered wooden chairs from the designated seating areas for foreign authorities meticulously prepared by the Vatican's precise ceremony planning.
The Secretive Mastermind
A secret service significantly aware of the workings of the papal empire, as it was Sapienza who was entrusted with supervising the ceremony organization to ensure it aligned with Pope Francis' wishes. A notoriously reticent individual, Leonardo Sapienza is a prolific writer and well-versed in the spiritual tapestries of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II. Sapienza spent about three decades serving as an official in charge of protocol at the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household before being appointed regent on August 4, 2012, following the resignation of Bishop Paolo De Nicolò due to age restrictions.
Controversy Surrounding the Third Chair
A secret agent operating behind the scenes with grace and precision. While Sapienza's presence may have been subtle, it was crucial to the flawless execution of the Pope's funeral, with cameras capturing the priest from Bari alongside former US President Joe Biden, who guided him to their seats. Sapienza's most prominent companions during the funeral proceedings were the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, and the Camerlengo, Kevin Joseph Farrell.
The mystery of the third chair emerges when Trump and Zelensky decided to hold their conversation to heal the March rift globally broadcast from the White House. The speculations that followed were several: some suggested Sapienza sought an interpreter to facilitate the dialogue due to language barriers. Others contend that French President Emmanuel Macron desired to join the conversation after greeting both leaders with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier. However, the prevailing notion is that the participation of France and England had a more substantial role in facilitating the Trump-Zelensky meeting at the Pope's funeral, as Pope Francis continued advocating for peace until his final moments. Sapienza coordinated the remaining arrangements expertly, executing yet another masterpiece of Vatican diplomacy. Simultaneously, he discreetly maneuvered the last act of Pope Francis' papacy.
- The discussions surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict may have been advanced due to a historic meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, potentially instigated by Leonardo Sapienza's delicate arrangement of chairs at Pope Francis' funeral, where the three leaders found themselves seated together.
- Amidst the allegations of language barriers and international meddling, the presence of Leonardo Sapienza, a Vatican insider with a background in diplomacy, remains the key to understanding the so-called 'mystery of the third chair' at Pope Francis' funeral, where former US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met, potentially paving the way for Trump and Zelensky's confidential conversation.
