US President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, marking his first foreign trip of the second term. Accompanied by First Lady Melania, Trump will be among 50 world leaders at the Vatican for a diplomatic gathering on Saturday.
Despite past disagreements with the late pontiff, Trump is set to participate in the high-profile event. There is speculation of a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following tensions between the two leaders over military aid and the conflict in Ukraine.
While in Rome, Trump is expected to have brief meetings with some officials, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, he expressed reluctance to engage in extensive discussions out of respect for the pope’s funeral.
The presence of former President Joe Biden at the funeral adds an interesting dynamic, given the history of animosity between the two leaders. Biden, a devout Catholic, will travel separately to Rome, unlike past presidents who flew on Air Force One for similar occasions.
Trump’s visit to Italy follows recent tensions with European allies over trade tariffs. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also attend the funeral, along with other EU officials.
The funeral will be a gathering of leaders with diverse ideological backgrounds, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Trump’s itinerary also includes visits to Gulf Arab states and a special celebration for Melania’s birthday.
Overall, Trump’s unexpected trip to Rome for the pope’s funeral highlights the complex dynamics of international diplomacy and the diverse relationships between world leaders.
