Private meeting brings defining image from Rome

RTÉ News​

26-04-2025

Given there were so many leaders gathered in the Vatican today, it's understandable that it was an opportunity for discussions.
As world leaders arrived in St Peter's Square, it was confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had met with US President Donald Trump prior to the funeral.
A picture confirming this was then released while the ceremony was underway.
It is a powerful image of the two men in the vast basilica with two chairs pulled up, intensity in their faces.
A second picture, also captured before the funeral, shows French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky speaking.
Arguably, the pictures which were released during the funeral mass became the story of the day.
What would the "bridge-builder" Pope Francis have thought about it all?
Given his continuous calls for peace coupled with his humility, there's little doubt that he would have welcomed the engagement.
If it overshadowed the final celebration of his life in terms of news, it did not impact the crowd of 200,000 people who came to say farewell.
And it was the people that mattered most to Francis.
Rome and Vatican City are returning to normal following the funeral this morning.
Many world leaders have already left, some barriers have been removed and people have left the area of St Peter's.
Easter celebrations will continue until Pentecost Sunday, as is tradition within the Catholic Church.
So too will the speculation around the pope's successor, which is the next phase in the current process.