President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, joined other world leaders on Saturday in paying respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at age 88 after a series of health complications hospitalized him for weeks.
The pope’s funeral mass was held in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, followed by a private burial at the St. Mary Major Basilica. Over 250,000 mourners gathered to view Pope Francis’s body over the course of three days in St. Peter’s Basilica before Saturday’s funeral, the Vatican said. His coffin was sealed on Friday.
The Vatican confirmed 164 delegations, including 54 heads of state and twelve monarchs, were in attendance. Among the world leaders who attended the funeral were French President Emmanuel Macron, British royal Prince William, Argentine President Javier Milei, and former President Joe Biden. Trump’s predecessor was the second Roman Catholic president behind John F. Kennedy.
Also in attendance was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with Trump in private to discuss a potential cease-fire to the Russia–Ukraine war. The discussion, which White House Communications Director Steven Cheung described as “very productive,” marked the first time that Trump and Zelensky have met again since their heated argument in the Oval Office two months ago.
Zelensky posted about the “good” 15-minute meeting on social media, with an image of himself sitting across from Trump.
“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results,” Zelensky wrote, thanking Trump.
The two are believed to be having further discussions.
On Thursday, Trump rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching deadly airstrikes on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” the Republican posted on Truth Social.
The message was notable, considering Trump has rarely criticized Putin as the two have had a strong diplomatic relationship dating back to Trump’s first term. The White House remains committed to ending Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Zelensky was met with applause from the crowds as he entered St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’s funeral.
Trump’s visit to Italy marks his first international trip since he reentered office in January. Melania is celebrating her 55th birthday on Saturday.
While preparing for the international flight on Friday, Trump praised Pope Francis as a “good man” who “loved the world” in spite of their past disagreements over immigration. Months before he died, the late pontiff criticized Trump’s mass deportations and sparred with Vice President JD Vance over the administration’s plans to combat illegal immigration.
Vance last met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, hours before the latter’s death. The vice president also offered kind words in remembrance of the head of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and caused irreversible heart failure, the Vatican announced this week. He previously developed bronchitis and a respiratory infection, leading to his hospitalization in mid-February. After a five-week stay in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, he was discharged in late March.
Saturday’s funeral marks the start of a period of nine days of mourning called Novemdiales, in which nine daily masses are held for the late pope.
The cardinals will then hold a papal conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor. The voting normally starts around 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, which means it may happen anytime after May 6. Among the frontrunners being discussed by news media are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who hails from the Philippines, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who has served as the Vatican’s secretary of state since Francis became the pope in 2013.