Many world leaders and royals gathered in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
One of the most prominent figures in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Saturday morning was Prince William, U.S. President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Sir Kyle Stemmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
A Zelensky spokesman said their attendance was in a period of fragile international diplomacy, when Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before serving.
Here are some photos of VIP participants.
Trump and Zelensky have 10 seats apart
Trump walked through the aisle from Macron and his wife Brigitte in a row of seats near the Francis coffin with his wife Melania Trump.
Interestingly, he and the first lady Melania sat between two staunch supporters in Ukraine. Estonian President Alar Karis is the left of Melania, while Finland’s Alexander Stubb is on Trump’s right.
By Alexander Stubb of Finland [AFP]
Estonia and Finland are both staunch ally of another person at the moment – Zelensky looks gloomy in the Vatican. He sat on the same line as Macron, separated by some other VIPs.
Zelensky has negotiated and public debate with Trump in recent weeks, with only 10 seats away from him in the same row and an aisle away.
Zelensky and his wife Olena [Reuters]
Seat plan
VIP and thousands of public members participated in events in Rome respectively.
The VIP sits on the right side of the square next to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Those who have the best seats are Francis native Argentina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Italian President Sergio Mattarella President Javier Milei, representing the country in the surrounding Vatican city.
Behind them, ruled sovereignty, and other delegations were arranged alphabetically on other benches in French (French) (i.e. the official language of diplomacy).
Italian President Sergio Mattarella (left), Argentina President Karina Milei (center left) and Argentina President Javier Milei (center) are in their main seats [Getty Images]
The Prince of Wales, who represents the British royal family, sat next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Prince William (center) sits next to Scholz (right) [Reuters]
Starmer and his wife Victoria were sitting in the fifth row.
Behind the British leader is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden is on the way with his wife Jill. He sat in four rows behind Trump.
European leaders and royal families
Many European leaders and royal families from European countries attended the meeting.
French President Emmanuel Macron and France’s first lady Brigitte Macron (left), along Trump’s row [AFP]
Macron watched the service closely from their front row position [AFP]
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in the lawsuit and is seen chatting with Macron.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at funeral [Getty Images]
Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit [Reuters]
King Felipe and Queen of Spain [Reuters]
Princess Charlene of Monaco (left) and Prince Albert II (center) [Reuters]
Other politicians and royals who attended the Pope’s funeral include:
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Andrzej Duda, President of Poland
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Dominican Republic President Louis Abinad
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King Philip of Belgium and Queen Mathilde
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German President Frank Walter Steinmeer
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Croatian President Zoran Milanović
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Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa
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Ireland Doysah (Prime Minister) Michel Martin
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Moldova President Maia Sandu
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Latvian President Edgas Lynkivic
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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxen
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Swedish King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Sylvia
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
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China Vice President Chin-Jen
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King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania
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Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban
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European Council President Antonio Costa
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Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
