Sat. Apr 26th, 2025
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EPA Zelensky (left) seen on the same front row as the Macrons (centre) and Trump (right)EPA

Volodymyr Zelensky (left) sitting on the same front row as France’s Emmanuel Macron (right of centre) and Donald Trump (right)

Numerous world leaders and royals have gathered in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.

Among the most prominent figures at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square on Saturday morning were Prince William, US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden, Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Their attendance comes at a fragile time for international diplomacy, with Trump meeting Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky before the service, according to Zelensky’s spokesman.

Here are some pictures of the VIP attendees.

Trump and Zelensky 10 seats apart

Trump was in a front-row seat near Francis’ coffin, alongside his wife Melania Trump, across the aisle from Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Intriguingly, he and First Lady Melania were sitting between two staunch supporters of Ukraine. Estonia’s President Alar Karis was to Melania’s left, and Finland’s Alexander Stubb to Trump’s right.

Getty Images US President Donald Trump alongside his wife Melania.Getty Images
Getty Images The Trumps sandwiched by Finland's Alexander Stubb (to the left of this image) and Estonia's President Alar Karis (right)Getty Images

The Trumps sandwiched by Finland’s Alexander Stubb (to the left of this image) and Estonia’s President Alar Karis (right)

Estonia and Finland are both staunch allies of another man of the moment in attendance – Zelensky, who looked sombre-faced at the Vatican. He was sitting on the same row as Macron, separated by a few other dignitaries.

Zelensky, who has been locked in negotiations and public arguments with Trump in recent weeks, was just 10 seats and one aisle away from him, on the same row.

Annotated image showing Zelensky 10 seats and one aisle away from Trump
Reuters President of Ukraine Volodymyr ZelenskyReuters

The seating plan

The VIPs were in a separate section from the hundreds of thousands of members of the public who have descended on Rome for the event.

Dignitaries were sitting on the the right-hand side of the square, next to St Peter’s Basilica.

Those with the best seats were Javier Milei, president of Argentina, where Francis was from, and Italy’s prime minister and president, representing the country that surrounds the Vatican City state.

Behind them were reigning sovereigns, and other delegations were seated in alphabetical order in French, the official language of diplomacy, on other benches.

Pope Benedict XVI funeral in St Peter's Square in the Vatican, 5 January 2023
Getty Images Italian President Sergio Mattarella (left), Argentina's General Secretary of the Presidency Karina Milei (left of centre) and Argentina's President Javier Milei (centre) in their prime seatsGetty Images

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (left), Argentina’s General Secretary of the Presidency Karina Milei (left of centre) and Argentina’s President Javier Milei (centre) in their prime seats

Representing British royalty, the Prince of Wales was sitting next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the service.

Reuters Prince William at the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeralReuters
Reuters Prince William (centre) seated among other dignitaries at the serviceReuters

Prince William (centre) seated next to Scholz (right)

Starmer was sat in the fifth row with his wife Victoria.

Behind the British leader was the World Health Organization’s director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Getty Images British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer (L)Getty Images

Former US President Joe Biden was seen hand in hand with his wife Jill. He was sitting four rows behind Trump.

EPA US former President Joe Biden (2-L) and his wife Jill (L) arrive for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's SquareEPA

European leaders and royalty

Many European leaders, as well as royalty from European countries, were in attendance.

Getty Images France's President Emmanuel Macron and France's First Lady Brigitte MacronGetty Images

France’s President Emmanuel Macron and France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was at the proceedings, and was seen chatting with Macron.

Getty Images President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaking with French President Emmanuel MacronGetty Images
Getty Images Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the funeral, dressed all in black and standing while looking to her side.Getty Images

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the funeral

Reuters Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-MaritReuters

Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Reuters Spain's King Felipe and Queen LetiziaReuters

Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia

Other political figures and royals attending the Pope’s funeral included:

  • Poland President Andrzej Duda
  • Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella
  • Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader
  • Belgium King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
  • German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
  • Croatia President Zoran Milanovic
  • Ecuador President Daniel Noboa
  • Ireland Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin
  • Moldova President Maia Sandu
  • Latvia President Edgars Rinkevics
  • New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
  • Sweden King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia
  • UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
  • Queen Mary of Denmark
  • China Vice President Chen Chin-Jen
  • Jordan King Abdullah II and Queen Rania
  • Monaco Prince Albert and Princess Charlene
  • Hungary President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban
  • European Council President Antonio Costa
  • President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola

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