President Trump Pays his Respects to Pope Francis at Funeral/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, despite their past disagreements on major issues. Trump also briefly met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, agreeing to continue talks. The visit combined solemn respect with critical diplomatic discussions.
Trump Honors Pope Francis Quick Looks
- Trump and Melania attended Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City.
- Trump praised the late pope despite prior public disagreements.
- A private, 15-minute meeting occurred between Trump and Zelenskyy.
- Trump suggested future Ukraine-Russia peace talks were imminent.
- No direct interaction between Trump and President Joe Biden.
- Trump wore a lighter blue tie, contrasting somber attire norms.
- Former Presidents Obama and Bush did not attend the funeral.
- Trump’s envoy previously met with Putin ahead of the funeral.
President Trump Pays his Respects to Pope Francis at Funeral
Deep Look
Trump Honors Pope Francis and Engages in Brief Talks with Zelenskyy During Vatican Visit
ROME — President Donald Trump joined global leaders on Saturday to pay his respects to Pope Francis, a religious figure who had publicly challenged Trump’s policies during his presidency. Alongside his attendance at the solemn funeral ceremony, Trump took the opportunity for a brief but significant meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump’s visit to the Vatican, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, placed him among more than 50 heads of state and dignitaries in St. Peter’s Square. Seated prominently near French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump stood out in a dark blue suit and lighter blue tie, contrasting sharply with the predominantly black attire of the mourners.
Despite their prior ideological clashes — notably over immigration policies and climate change — Trump offered warm words after Francis’ passing, calling him a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.” Trump also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in the late pope’s honor, a significant gesture of respect from a leader once criticized by Francis for building barriers rather than bridges.
Trump’s relationship with Francis had been tense since the 2016 campaign when the pope famously remarked that building walls to keep migrants out was “not Christian,” a statement directly referencing Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. Trump at the time called the comment “disgraceful,” deepening the rift between the two.
Nevertheless, Trump’s presence at the funeral underscored the diplomatic gravitas of the event. Prior to his departure, Trump remarked that attending the funeral was primarily “out of respect” for Pope Francis, even while downplaying expectations of political meetings on the sidelines, deeming them potentially “disrespectful” during such a solemn occasion.
However, diplomacy could not be entirely set aside. Trump and Zelenskyy met privately inside St. Peter’s Basilica for roughly 15 minutes, their first face-to-face interaction since a contentious Oval Office encounter earlier in 2025. White House communications director Steven Cheung confirmed the meeting as “productive,” and Zelenskyy’s spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said both leaders agreed to reconvene for further talks later on Saturday.
The meeting comes amid Trump’s renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, a complex endeavor marked by tension and skepticism. Shortly after arriving in Rome, Trump posted on Truth Social urging Ukraine and Russia to engage in “very high-level talks” to end the war that has raged for more than three years.
Adding intrigue to Trump’s diplomatic maneuvers, his envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin a day before the funeral. Trump claimed that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal,” although Putin did not attend the Vatican funeral.
The timing of Trump’s conversation with Zelenskyy was particularly sensitive, occurring just after Trump made his most definitive public stance yet on the issue of Crimea. In an interview published by Time magazine, Trump asserted that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” indicating a potential shift in U.S. policy should he return to office. His stance clashes sharply with Zelenskyy’s demands that Russia return Crimea and other occupied territories to Ukraine — a major obstacle to any peace agreement.
Referring to Crimea during his Time interview, Trump said, “everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” suggesting a pragmatic acceptance of Russia’s control over the strategic peninsula, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
At the funeral, Trump maintained a low-key presence. Despite early speculation about meetings with multiple world leaders, Trump’s interactions remained minimal. When asked about meeting former President Joe Biden — who was also in attendance — Trump brushed off the idea, stating it was “not high on my list.” Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, was seated several rows behind Trump, distinguished by his signature aviator sunglasses.
Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were notably absent from the ceremony, their offices confirming they would not attend. Former President Bill Clinton’s office did not respond to inquiries about his presence.
Trump’s visit to Rome was brief; he was scheduled to return to the United States immediately following the funeral service. Nevertheless, his attendance, comments on the war, and short but meaningful meeting with Zelenskyy injected a layer of political drama into a day intended for solemn reflection.
Trump’s balancing act — honoring a pontiff who once opposed his policies while pushing forward peace initiatives in Ukraine — highlighted the complex intersection of faith, politics, and global leadership on a world stage still grappling with conflict and division.
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