Before and after the funeral services for Pope Francis, a remarkable display of funeral diplomacy unfolded at the Vatican this weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a heartfelt meeting, seizing a rare opportunity for dialogue.
A Heartfelt Meeting During a Solemn Occasion
For fifteen minutes, Ukraine’s wartime leader managed to secure critical face time with Trump. This meeting came just two months after Zelensky’s disastrous February 28 visit to the Oval Office, where tensions flared between him, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in front of the White House press corps. Last week, however, the scene was very different.
Trump and Zelensky sat side-by-side in a marbled hallway at St. Peter’s Basilica, attempting to mend their strained relationship.
Historic Images of Funeral Diplomacy
The images captured of the conversation have already been described as iconic, likely destined to appear in history books for generations to come.
The two leaders sat just two feet apart, leaning toward each other in a deep and focused discussion. No aides, translators, or note-takers were present — just two chairs that would not look out of place in an American hotel conference center, with profound potential consequences for millions affected by the war in Ukraine.
