Trump meets Zelensky before Pope Francis' funeral ceremony in the Vatican

On April 26, 2025, the day of Pope Francis' funeral, a meeting took place in the Vatican between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Vatican News, the two heads of state met shortly before the start of the ceremony.

People from all over the world – clergy, diplomats, the faithful, the poor, migrants, youth, children, and heads of state and government – had come to the Vatican for the Pontiff’s funeral.

The Presidents of the United States and Ukraine held talks inside St. Peter’s Basilica just minutes before the funeral ceremony for Pope Francis began.

Following the meeting, the White House stated that the two leaders had a “very productive conversation” in private. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes.

According to Zelensky’s comments to the media, “sensitive issues were discussed, including how to achieve peace.”

In a social media post, he thanked Trump for a "good meeting."

“We discussed many topics one-on-one. I hope for positive outcomes regarding everything we touched upon,” he wrote, noting that the talks focused on protecting Ukrainian lives, achieving a full ceasefire, and building lasting peace.

Zelensky also emphasized the symbolic significance of the meeting, suggesting it “could become historic if we achieve joint results.”

In his homily during Pope Francis' funeral, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re reminded those gathered that Pope Francis had constantly called for peace:

"In recent years, faced with many wars, inhumane horrors, countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis consistently raised his voice, calling for peace, prudence, and honest negotiations to find possible solutions. Because, as he said, war only brings death, the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools. War always leaves the world worse than before – it is always a painful and tragic defeat for all. We must build bridges, not walls," the Cardinal said at the coffin of the late Pope.

As previously reported by the UOJ, in his final public address, Pope Francis called for peace in Ukraine.