World Leaders Gather for Pope Francis’s Funeral in Vatican City : Trump, Macron, Meloni Pay Tribute

World leaders arrived at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April 26th to pay their final respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral. Among the dignitaries were US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky, who White House officials said had a very productive discussion ahead of the service. Trump and his wife First Lady Melania stood by the coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica as they arrived for the papal funeral. Zelensky also joined members of royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and a legion of faithful at the Vatican to pay their last respects to Pope Francis at a funeral mass to honor his sometimes turbulent papacy. Former US President Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic, was accompanied by his wife Jill Biden when he arrived at St. Peter's Square to pay his respects to Pope Francis at a funeral in Vatican City. French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's Prince William, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were also in attendance. Bells tolled as leaders from more than 150 countries took their places for the papal funeral. In one of several breaks from tradition, as per his final testament, Francis will be the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in more than a century, preferring Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major, some 5.5 km from St. Peter's, as his final resting place. #trump #donaldtrump #zelensky #meloni #starmer #macron #pope #funeral #vatican