### World Leaders and Royals Gather for Pope Francis’ Funeral
Thousands of mourners, including prominent world leaders and royalty, attended Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Among the dignitaries were U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Prince William, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The seating arrangement placed Trump and Zelensky—who have been engaged in tense diplomatic discussions—just 10 seats apart on the same front row. Trump sat between Finland’s Alexander Stubb and Estonia’s Alar Karis, both strong supporters of Ukraine, while Zelensky was seen in deep conversation with the former U.S. president before the service.
### Diplomatic Seating Arrangements and Notable Attendees
The VIP section was carefully organized, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella occupying the most prominent seats. European royalty, including Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, and Monaco’s Prince Albert II, were also in attendance. Prince William sat beside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while Keir Starmer was seated further back with his wife. Former U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were four rows behind Trump. The seating followed diplomatic protocol, with delegations arranged alphabetically in French, the traditional language of diplomacy.
### Symbolic Moments and High-Profile Interactions
The funeral became an unexpected stage for diplomatic exchanges, particularly between Trump and Zelensky, whose meeting was described as “very productive” by the White House. Macron was seen shaking hands with Trump, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen engaged in conversation with the French leader. The presence of so many global figures underscored the Pope’s influence and the delicate state of international relations. As the ceremony proceeded, some attendees were seen capturing the solemn procession on their phones, marking a historic moment in Vatican history.
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