World leaders and royals from various countries gathered at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis. Among the prominent figures in attendance were Prince William, US President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, reflecting a delicate moment in international diplomacy.
Trump, seated in the front row near the coffin, was flanked by his wife Melania, with Macron and his wife across the aisle. Interestingly, the Trumps were surrounded by Estonia’s President Alar Karis and Finland’s Alexander Stubb, both strong supporters of Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky was seated nearby, emphasizing the diplomatic dynamics at play.
Zelensky, engaged in negotiations and disputes with Trump, sat just a few seats away from the former US president. The White House described their meeting as “productive,” indicating potential for significant developments in their interactions.
The seating arrangement at the funeral placed dignitaries in a separate section from the public attendees, with leaders like Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella in prominent seats near St. Peter’s Basilica. Behind them were reigning monarchs, with delegations organized alphabetically in the diplomatic tradition.
Representing British royalty, Prince Charles sat next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while Keir Starmer occupied the fifth row with his wife, alongside the World Health Organization’s director general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, underscoring the diverse international representation at the event.
Former President Joe Biden, seated a few rows behind Trump, was seen with his wife Jill, as dignitaries captured moments of the ceremony on their phones. European leaders and royalty, including France’s Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, observed the proceedings closely, reflecting the global significance of the event.
Additional political figures and royals from Poland, Belgium, Germany, Croatia, Ireland, Moldova, New Zealand, Sweden, the UN, Denmark, Jordan, Hungary, and more were also present, highlighting the international solidarity and respect shown for Pope Francis.
The funeral drew attention to the unity and grief shared by attendees from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in addressing global challenges. As world leaders and dignitaries paid their respects, the event symbolized a moment of reflection and solidarity in the international community.