Why Trump and Zelenskyy got front-row seats at Pope Francis’ funeral

In a striking departure from centuries-old Vatican protocol, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy found themselves in front-row seats at the funeral of Pope Francis, an unexpected placement that raised eyebrows across diplomatic circles.

Traditionally, papal funerals follow a strict hierarchy. High-ranking clergy, monarchs, and heads of state are seated according to diplomatic rank and the French alphabet—the long-standing language of diplomacy.

By these rules, leaders like Trump, representing the tats-Unis (United States), were alphabetically entitled to a front-row seat, while heads of government like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were placed further back.

Trump and First Lady Melania were seated between Estonia’s President Alar Karis and Spain’s King Felipe VI—prime real estate near the pulpit.

But it was Zelenskyy’s seat that grabbed everyone’s attention.

Despite reports, he might skip the funeral to address urgent matters related to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy made a last-minute decision to attend the funeral, joining his wife Olena Zelenska in St. Peter’s Square.

ALSO READ: Viva il Papa: Leaders, royals, and pilgrims bid final farewell to Pope Francis

Zelenskyy’s presence, amid a week of mounting diplomatic pressure for peace with Russia, carried powerful symbolism: a sign of hope in the midst of mourning.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni later said that the Ukrainian couple was filling “a vacant place”, a subtle way of admitting protocol had been bent. His arrival was met with warm applause from the gathered crowd.

Coming during a week of intense diplomatic efforts to push for peace with Russia, Zelenskyy’s presence seemed to carry symbolic weight—hope amid grief.

Zelenskyy also had his first in-person conversation with Trump since a tense Oval Office meeting in February. Both described the brief exchange as “productive.”

Pope Francis’ Death

Pope Francis, the beloved Argentinian pontiff, was laid to rest on Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. He passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, following a stroke and heart failure, according to Vatican physician Dr Andrea Arcangeli.

The official death certificate, released Monday and reported by Reuters, confirmed that the Pope had slipped into a coma before his passing. His burial marked the end of a week of mourning for Catholics around the world.