A Tale of Two Greetings: Trump and Zelenskyy’s Contrasting Moments at Pope Francis’ Funeral Stir Global Buzz
World leaders gathered in Rome on Saturday, April 26, to pay their respects at the funeral of Pope Francis. Among them were former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer. The solemn occasion quickly took on a political edge, as viral videos highlighted the strikingly different receptions Trump and Zelenskyy received.
As Zelenskyy entered, the crowd broke into spontaneous applause—a rare and emotional moment that resonated with many watching around the world. In sharp contrast, Trump, clad in an unconventional blue suit rather than traditional black, was met with a heavy, telling silence. The disparity didn’t go unnoticed, sparking heated debate across social media.
But the surprises didn’t end there. According to Sky News, the funeral marked the first in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since their tense White House meeting earlier this year. Despite their rocky history, sources described their conversation in Rome as “very productive.”
Afterwards, Trump took to Truth Social, claiming a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia was “very close” and publicly urging Zelenskyy to “get it done.” Though he had spoken fondly of Pope Francis before leaving Washington, once on the ground in Rome, Trump’s attention seemed to pivot to diplomacy and trade—a notable shift during an already emotionally charged moment.
