Tens of thousands of people and more than 100 official delegations were attended by heads of state, including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky.
Among the attendees were top European figures, including the committee’s Ursula von der Reyen Commission, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer.
With so many world leaders in attendance, Pope Francis’ funeral has become one of the most important international gatherings of the year.
From this day onwards there will be five definitive moments.
1. Trump and Zelensky’s improvisation mini summit
One of the most striking images came from an improvisation meeting at the Vatican.
Photos released by Kyiv’s presidency show Zelenskyy, Trump, Macron and Starmer gather in a marble hall before their funeral, with Macron putting supportive hands on Zelenskyy’s shoulder.
Trump and Zelensky held a private eye-to-eye 15-minute conversation within St. Peter’s Basilica. They sat face to face in the center of the marble hall. In particular, they suggested a private, direct conversation between them, as they had no nearby aides or advisors.
White House Communications Director Stephen Chan described the meeting as “very productive” and planned to discuss further later that day.
This direct, seemingly sincere interaction was a stark contrast to the recent public tension between the two leaders.
In a social media X post, Zelenskyy said the meeting was good and could be historic.
2. Trump and Macron’s unexpected “signs of peace”
At another prominent moment during the funeral mass, Trump took part in a Catholic ritual known as the “sign of peace.”
He exchanged handshakes with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, who recently played golf in Florida, and Estonian President Ara Karis, with his neighbor, President Alexander Stubb.
However, he also reached out to shake hands with French President Emmanuel Macron.
In Catholic liturgy, the “sign of peace” occurs after the Father and before the Holy Communion. The congregations are invited to offer each other a gesture of peace.
Shaking hands with Macron was made possible by last-minute changes to front row seating arrangements, as Vatican protocols were reserved for this unprecedented event.
Not only Trump and First Lady Melania, but Zelensky, along with other major leaders, were given front row seats, highlighting the international importance of funerals.
3. Trump’s second encounter with Ursula von der Reyen
On the steps of St. Peter Square, President Trump and President Ursula von del Reyen of the European Commission exchanged hands.
Since January 21, 2020, it was their first encounter that the two met at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Despite recent transatlantic tensions over trade tariffs, the interaction seemed warm, although briefly limited to formal courtesy.
“In their brief exchange, President von der Leyen and President Trump agreed to meet,” Paula Pinot, the committee’s chief spokesman, told journalists on Saturday.
Von Der Leyen said on social media X that she “had a good exchange” with several leaders gathering together to give the Pope the ultimate honor.
It remains unclear what other leaders met during Trump’s brief stay in Rome. Reports suggest that he had brief conversations with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz as well as William of Prince of Wales.
4. Zelensky’s iconic wardrobe shift
Zelenskyy made noteworthy changes to his typical military outfit for the funeral, opting for dark outfits instead.
While maintaining a military-style look, Zelenskyy opted for an elegant black jacket with a front pocket and a more informal cut, paired with a dark shirt instead of the typical T-shirt and dark boots.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Zelensky has consistently worn unofficial military uniforms, as a symbol of solidarity with frontline soldiers.
However, Zelenskyy’s outfit choice had previously been controversial during his last visit to Washington. A reporter’s question about his unofficial dress temporarily changed the tone of the event.
His choice to dress more for the funeral has marked a subtle but subtle shift, due to the strict opportunity.
5. Anti-Trump Undercurrent in Homily
He celebrated Pope Francis’ immigration and marginalized advocacy during Cardinal Giovanni Batista Leh, dean of his Holy Cardinal College.
Rope Francis’ visit to Lesbos and Lampedusa not only represented two islands, which symbolize “the tragedy of immigration, thousands of people drowning in the sea,” but also the pope Francis’ masses who celebrated on the border between Mexico and the US.
The Cardinal also reflected the Pope’s enduring recommendations. The phrase “build a bridge, not a wall” has long been interpreted as a direct criticism of Trump’s policies.
The crowd responded with voluntary applause, especially during calls for peace and dialogue in the face of war and destruction.
“Faced with the raging wars of recent years, their inhumane fears and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis has constantly raised his voice, begging for peace, and pleading for honest negotiations to find possible solutions,” Re continued.
