TRUMP ATTENDS POPE FRANCIS' FUNERAL, MEETS WITH ZELENSKYY, CALLS FOR RUSSIA-UKRAINE TALKS

An Emirati Magazine publication – Released on April 26,2025 | www.emiratimagazine.com

Former President Donald Trump attended the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, joining over 50 world leaders at the Vatican. Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, was seated near French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite past disagreements with the Pope on immigration and climate change, Trump praised Francis as a "good man" who "loved the world," ordering U.S. flags flown at half-staff. Before the service, Trump held a private, "productive" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussing efforts toward a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

Trump emphasized the importance of respecting the occasion, limiting formal meetings but planning brief interactions. Former President Joe Biden also attended but remained several rows behind Trump; no meeting between the two was planned. Trump urged for “very high-level talks” between Russia and Ukraine, following discussions between his envoy and President Putin. Leaders from the UK, Spain, Hungary, and Argentina were also in attendance.