(CNN) — The funeral of Pope Francis gave Catholics throughout the globe the possibility to bid farewell to a beloved pontiff – and for world leaders to rub shoulders at a fraught time for worldwide diplomacy.
Greater than 250,000 folks packed into St. Peter’s Sq. for Saturday’s service, the Vatican mentioned, with members of the general public there to mourn together with 55 heads of state.
The day’s most extraordinary assembly got here simply minutes earlier than the service started. Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky held what American and Ukrainian officers described as a “productive” dialogue in St. Peter’s Basilica, as Francis’ coffin was about to be introduced into the sq..
So, what was mentioned, who met who, and the place did everybody sit?
What was the seating plan?
St. Peter’s Sq. was cut up into quarters. Dignitaries, cardinals and bishops have been on the entrance, nearest the basilica, whereas clergy and most of the people have been a bit of additional again. The coffin was positioned in entrance of the central altar.
Behind the seated sections, 1000’s extra had packed into the sq., standing for greater than two hours within the Italian warmth.
Within the dignitaries’ part, politicians sat in alphabetical order in French, the normal language of diplomacy.
This meant that Trump – president of “États-Unis d’Amerique” – sat between the presidents of Finland and Estonia, two nations that share borders with Russia, and which will likely be particularly cautious of a diminished US army footprint in Europe.
Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, performed a spherical of golf with Trump in March throughout an unofficial journey to Florida. Trump mentioned Stubb was a “superb participant.” The Finnish presidency mentioned the pair mentioned European safety, together with Ukraine.
Throughout Saturday’s “Signal of Peace,” a ceremony the place members of the congregation shake fingers with their neighbors and say “peace be with you,” Trump was seen shaking fingers with a number of world leaders, together with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The one dignitaries not sat in alphabetical order have been these from Italy – the host nation – and Argentina – Francis’ birthplace. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentinian President Javier Milei have been sat close to the entrance, with a cluster of different officers.
What occurred on the Trump-Zelensky assembly?
In what was their first assembly for the reason that explosive Oval Workplace assembly in February, Trump and Zelensky huddled in shut dialogue with out aides within the ornate environment of St. Peter’s Basilica, shortly earlier than the service started.
Each the White Home and Ukrainian presidency mentioned the speak lasted round quarter-hour, describing it as optimistic. Zelensky mentioned the assembly was “symbolic,” with the “potential to change into historic, if we obtain joint outcomes.” The group within the sq. broke into applause when Zelensky stepped into the sq..
“We mentioned quite a bit one on one. Hoping for outcomes on all the things we lined. Defending lives of our folks. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Dependable and lasting peace that can stop one other struggle from breaking out,” Zelensky wrote on X.
The US president and First Girl Melania Trump left Rome swiftly after the service, which means the 2 leaders didn’t maintain additional discussions. Zelensky later met with Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The 4 leaders have been pictured collectively within the basilica, after Trump and Zelensky’s one-to-one.
Who else was there?
Britain’s Prince William was amongst a string of royals in Saturday’s crowd. William, subsequent in line to the British throne, sat subsequent to Olaf Scholz, the outgoing chancellor of Germany. Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, in addition to Queen Mary of Denmark, have been additionally in attendance.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have been amongst a number of different European leaders in attendance. The South American leaders there included Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – who had an in depth relationship with Francis – and Ecuador’s lately re-elected president Daniel Noboa.
The heads of a number of supranational establishments have been additionally there, together with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – head of the World Well being Group, from which Trump withdrew the US in January – and UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres.
Julian Assange additionally made what was a uncommon public look since his launch from Britain’s Belmarsh jail final yr. The Wikileaks founder was seen along with his spouse, Stella, and their two youngsters, on the Vatican.