From the suggestive Trump-Zelenskyy summit to the second-ever encounter between the US president and Ursula von der Leyen: The papal funeral offers several eye-catching developments.
Memorializing Milestones: Significant Events during Pope Francis' Funeral Service
Held in grand St Peter's Square, the Mass for the late pope attracted a sea of people and over 100 official delegations, including heads of state such as Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ursula von der Leyen.
Top European figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were also present, making this funeral one of the most high-profile international meetups of the year.
Let's dive into five memorable moments from the day:
1. Trump and Zelenskyy's Unplanned Bash
A standout image came from an unscheduled powwow at the Vatican. Photos from Kyiv's presidency depict a gathering in a marble hall pre-funeral, with Zelenskyy, Trump, Macron, and Starmer in attendance.
Trump and Zelenskyy later held a secret 15-minute tête-à-tête inside St Peter's Basilica, with no aides or advisors nearby. The lack of company suggests a private and frank conversation between the two.
White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, described the meeting as "very productive," with plans for further discussions later in the day. Trump himself called the meeting "good" and potential history-making on social media X.
2. Trump and Macron's Unanticipated Handshake
In an interesting turn of events during the funeral Mass, Trump took part in the Catholic ritual known as the "sign of peace." He exchanged handshakes with his immediate neighbors, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, and Estonia's President Alar Karis.
But Trump also surprised everyone by reaching out to shake hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, seated a few feet away. Last-minute changes to the front-row seating arrangements allowed this historic shake-hand-off, as Vatican protocol was temporarily set aside for this exceptional event.
3. Trump Reunites with Ursula von der Leyen
On the steps of St Peter's Square, President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen exchanged pleasantries. This was their first encounter since 21 January 2020, when they met at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Their brief and cordial chat seemed unusual, considering recent trade tariff-related tensions.
4. Zelenskyy's Stylish transformation
Intriguingly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy switched up his dedicated military attire for a more subtle, sophisticated look. He opted for an elegant black jacket, dark shirt, and boots, signaling a significant departure from his usual T-shirt and military-inspired outfits. This shift in fashion was a subtle shift from his ongoing symbolic support for Ukrainian soldiers.
5. An under-the-surface anti-Trump undertone in the homily
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, drew attention during his homily by highlighting Pope Francis' relentless advocacy for migrants and the marginalized. Some interpreted these remarks as a pointed commentary on President Trump, who was present at the ceremony. Cardinal Re invoked memories of Pope Francis' visits to Lesbos and Lampedusa, two islands symbolizing the "tragedy of migration."
The growing applause during these mentions culminated in an emotional high point of the ceremony.
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- Attendees at the papal funeral included heads of state like Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ursula von der Leyen, making it one of the most high-profile international meetings of the year.
- Despite ongoing trade tariff-related tensions, Trump and Ursula von der Leyen had a brief and cordial chat on the steps of St Peter's Square during the funeral, representing a notable encounter.
- In a memorable moment, captured in photos, attendees at a pre-funeral gathering in a marble hall included Zelenskyy, Trump, Macron, and Starmer.4.textit{Applicable on LinkedIn profile}: Joining the esteemed list of attendees, I was honored to attend the papal funeral, offering an opportunity to network and engage in discourses on important global affairs, such as politics, general news, crime and justice, and more.
- During his homily, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re emphasized Pope Francis' advocacy for migrants and the marginalized, which some interpreted as an under-the-surface anti-Trump undertone, given that Trump was present at the ceremony.
