Funeral service in the Vatican: Remarkable moments around the Pope Fair Celebration

Millions of around the world are pursuing the Pope Food celebration in Rome. In addition to the fair and the funeral procession, world politics happens. Some important moments of the historic day:

It is probably the conversation of the day. US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian head of state Wolodymyr Selenskyj have a conversation away from the funeral service. It was the first meeting of the two statesmen after a scandal in the White House at the end of February.

Trump wants to end the Russian war of attack in Ukraine and get Selenskyj concessions. Selenskyj had so far categorically rejected a waiver of the Black Sea Peninsula Crimea or other areas incorporated by Moscow in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

The executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Trump also briefly spoke to each other on the sidelines of the funeral service for Pope Francis. This was confirmed by the German Press Agency from Scholz ‘environment. The conversation took place in St. Peter’s Basilica, it said. Further details were initially not known. It is the first personal encounter between the two since Trump took office in January.

Trump came to Rome with his wife and First Lady Melania, who turned 55 on the day of the funeral service.

Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder caused irritation before the funeral for Pope Francis with a smile selfie with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “Especially in Rome: Now the convoy with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is going to the Vatican for the funeral for the late Pope Francis,” the CSU politician posted.

Comment from FDP politician Marie-Egnes Strack-Zimmermann: “Funeral reseal selfies have something quite Würdeloses. The funeral of the Pope is not the Oktoberfest”. As soon as they arrived in the Italian capital, Söder had drawn attention to himself with other photos of the funeral service.

The managing Chancellor Scholz had a very prominent funeral guest next to him. The British heir to the throne Prince William took a seat next to him for the funeral service. Princess Kate was not there. She was also not on the official list of funeral guests. Scholz ‘probable successor as Chancellor, CDU boss Friedrich Merz, was missing in the burial of Pope Francis.

The mourners’ clothing was also discussed on the net. Selenskyj wore a black jacket with a breast pockets over a black shirt. Since Russia’s aggressive war on Ukraine, Selenskyj has often been seen in military green. Again and again he also wears black in mourning in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump was wearing a blue suit and a blue tie.

Most recently, Selenskyj’s clothing style was a topic at a meeting with Trump in the White House. Selenskyj had been criticized for his allegedly legacy outfit.

The funeral service in Rome was also a big event outdoors. Many could look at the coffin one last time. That led to very different moments. In a photo you can see, for example, how Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier looked at the coffin. His wife Elke Büdenbender bowed. Bishop Joan Enric Vives I Sicília, who is also Kotfürst von Andorra, pulled out the cell phone right next to her.

After the funeral service, many in Rome were able to say goodbye again for a little moment. A papamobile with the coffin of Pope Francis drove across the city. Many believers and visitors lined the streets and cheered. The Colosseum was on the way to the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. The basilica is the place of burial.