Trump's spotlight stolen as Anderson Cooper credits applause at Pope Francis' funeral to a different global figure
During a live broadcast of Pope Francis's funeral, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper shifted focus from Donald Trump's arrival, claiming the applause wasn't for him, but for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whose image was displayed on screens.
As the funeral mass unfolded in Vatican City, Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania and numerous world leaders, made a highly publicized entrance to St. Peter's Basilica. The arrival was met with a burst of applause that attracted global attention.
However, Cooper, anchoring CNN's live coverage, diverted attention away from Trump. With the clapping continuing, he announced, "And there's President Zelensky. Wow!" Cooper explained that the applause was due to Zelensky's image being shown on monitors in St. Peter's Square.
Prior to the solemn event, Trump and Zelensky had a private meeting, marking their first encounter since their contentious White House meeting. The leaders discussed various matters, including a potential ceasefire and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia. According to the White House, the meeting was "very productive."
Zelensky later posted on social media about the meeting, expressing hope for results and emphasizing the importance of protecting lives, ensuring a full and unconditional ceasefire, and preventing another war.
Despite a tense history, neither Trump nor Zelensky interacted publicly in front of the cameras on this occasion. Trump's meeting with other world leaders seemed to overshadow any potential interaction with his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
The interaction between Trump and Zelensky at the Vatican was described by body language expert Judi James as "intense-looking" and "phenomenally surreal." Though it appeared somewhat confrontational, the experts suggested it could lead to agreement rather than conflict.
While Trump avoided interacting with Biden during the three-hour Catholic mass, both Trump and Biden drew criticism for allegedly violating the dress code at the Vatican service. Trump wore a blue suit and matching tie, while Biden opted for a blue tie. Critics deemed their choices disrespectful, with many calling for more appropriate attire.
Interestingly, the search results indicate that Trump and Zelensky held a tense first meeting since their February clash, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly berated Zelensky. However, their interaction at the Vatican during Pope Francis’s funeral was described as "constructive" by Zelensky’s aide and "very productive" by the White House.
During this significant moment, world leaders gathered in St. Peter's Square, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re eulogized Pope Francis as "a pope among the people, with an open heart." The applause rose as he praised the late pontiff's commitment to making the Church a home for all.
Melania Trump followed proper funeral etiquette, wearing an elegant black lace veil, gloves, and simple black pumps, along with a diamond-studded cross pendant. Cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops followed specific attire requirements, while hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in St. Peter's Square, hoping for hope and unity.
- Social-media platforms were flooded with reactions as celebrity figures and everyday people shared their thoughts on the disrespectful attire worn by Trump and Biden during Pope Francis's funeral.
- Meanwhile, videos of the funeral mass and Cooper's live anchoring were widely shared and analyzed, with many praising Cooper for his professionalism in directing attention away from Trump towards Zelensky.
- In the realm of pop-culture, the interaction between Trump and Zelensky, both known for their contrasting public images, became a topic of discussion, with some hoping for future diplomatic collaborations.
- CNN's decision to publicize the clapping and divert attention from Trump to Zelensky was seen as a political statement, highlighting the role of news and entertainment in shaping public opinion.
- As the funeral unfolded, joyous moments of people coming together in unity and hope were captured on videos, offering a powerful reminder of the transformative power of community and solidarity in times of grief.
