Paying Respects to Pope Francis
ROME — President Donald Trump on Saturday paid his respects to Pope Francis, joining more than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries at the funeral of a pontiff who disagreed with him on a variety of issues. Trump also had a brief meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Meeting with Ukrainian President
Both the White House and Zelenskyy’s office confirmed the meeting, the first face-to-face conversation between Trump and the Ukrainian leader since the two, along with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, argued during a heated Oval Office meeting in late February.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said the leaders “met privately today and had a very productive discussion” and that more details would follow. Zelenskyy’s spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said they met for about 15 minutes at St. Peter’s Basilica and agreed to continue negotiations later Saturday. Teams were working to organize the follow-up conversation.
Funeral Attendance
Trump arrived at the Vatican with his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and was seated in the front row, not far from French President Emmanuel Macron, for the outdoor service.
Trump told reporters on Friday as he flew to Rome that he was going to the funeral “out of respect” for the pontiff, who died Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.
Disagreements with Pope Francis
Francis sharply disagreed with Trump’s approach on issues including immigration, the treatment of migrants and climate change. The Argentine pontiff and the American president sparred early in their relationship over immigration. In 2016, Francis, alluding to then-candidate Trump and his campaign slogan of “Build the wall,” called anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants “not Christian.” Trump said the comment was “disgraceful.”
But after Francis’ death, the Republican president praised him as a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.” Trump also directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in Francis’ honor.
Meeting with Other Leaders
Trump had said on a couple of occasions before leaving Washington that he would have “a lot” of meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the funeral. But he seemed to back away from that as he flew to Rome.
“Frankly, it’s a little disrespectful to have meetings when you’re at the funeral of a pope,” the president told reporters accompanying him aboard Air Force One. Nonetheless, Trump said: “I’ll be talking to people. I’ll be seeing a lot of people.”
Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after arriving in Rome that Ukraine and Russia should meet for “very high level talks” on ending the bloody three-year war sparked by Russia’s invasion. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met earlier Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Trump said both sides were “very close to a deal.” Putin did not attend the funeral.
Trump’s meeting Saturday with Zelenskyy also came shortly after Trump issued his most definitive statement yet about the need for Ukraine to give up territory to Russia to bring the war to a close. He said in a Time magazine interview published Friday that “Crimea will stay with Russia.”
Russia seized the strategic peninsula along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine in 2014, years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022. Zelenskyy wants to regain Crimea and other Ukrainian territory seized by Russia, but that demand has become a sticking point for Trump.
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Trump’s attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral and his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlight the complex relationships between world leaders. Despite their disagreements, Trump and Zelenskyy are working towards a common goal of ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting also underscores the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving global conflicts.
FAQs
Q: Who attended Pope Francis’ funeral?
A: More than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries, including President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, attended the funeral.
Q: What was the purpose of Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy?
A: The meeting was to discuss the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and potential solutions to bring the war to a close.
Q: What is the current status of the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
A: The conflict is ongoing, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Trump has called for “very high level talks” to end the war, and his envoy has met with Russian President Putin to discuss a potential deal.
Q: What was the significance of Pope Francis’ death?
A: Pope Francis was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and a vocal advocate for social justice and human rights. His death was mourned by people around the world, and his funeral was attended by leaders from many countries.
