Latest news with #ProphecyofthePopes
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nostradamus' prediction: Will the world end in 2027 with Pope Leo XIV as the last pontiff
Nostradamus' prediction The recent election of Pope Leo XIV , the first American to ascend to the papal throne, has sparked intense interest in ancient prophecies that foretell the end of the Catholic Church and, potentially, the world itself. Central to this speculation is the prophecy of Nostradamus , the enigmatic 16th-century French seer whose cryptic verses have been interpreted to predict everything from global wars to natural disasters. According to some modern interpretations, Nostradamus hinted that a pope named Leo would preside over the final days of the Church, aligning ominously with the claim that the world might end in 2027. Adding to this intrigue is the "Prophecy of the Popes," a medieval list attributed to 12th-century Archbishop Saint Malachy, which also suggests that the current pope may be the last in a long line of St. Peter's successors. Nostradamus warns of a Pope named Leo and the world's end Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, published his first collection of prophecies in 1555. These quatrains, organized into centuries, have been interpreted as foretelling significant historical events, from the rise of Napoleon to the September 11 attacks. However, his work is notoriously ambiguous, relying on metaphor, allegory, and archaic language that makes precise interpretation challenging. One quatrain often linked to the end of the papacy reads: "The great lion on the throne, in the final age, Will preside over a world consumed by fire and flood, As the earth trembles beneath the feet of men, And the old faith crumbles into dust." While this verse does not explicitly mention a pope, some modern interpreters believe it refers to a pontiff named Leo reigning during an era of global upheaval. This interpretation gains traction when considering the current global landscape, marked by climate change, political unrest, and technological disruption. The 'Prophecy of the Popes' and its final prediction Adding to the intrigue is the "Prophecy of the Popes," a medieval text attributed to Saint Malachy, a 12th-century Irish archbishop. This prophecy lists 112 future popes, each described by a brief Latin phrase. According to this list, the final pope, known as "Peter the Roman," will lead the Church through a period of great tribulation, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the world. While Pope Leo XIV's birth name is not Peter, some theorists argue that his American origins and symbolic choice of the name Leo could align him with this final prophetic figure. The theory suggests that just as Pope Benedict XVI (described as the "Glory of the Olive") was linked to the Olivetan order, Pope Leo XIV may fulfill a more symbolic interpretation of the final pope, guiding the Church during a time of unprecedented global crisis. The significance of the name 'Leo' in papal history The choice of the name "Leo" by the newly elected Pope Leo XIV is itself a rare occurrence in modern papal history. The last pope to adopt this name was Pope Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903. The use of this name has long been associated with strength and resilience, symbolized by the lion, a powerful figure in both Christian and secular symbolism. However, for those steeped in esoteric prophecy, the selection of the name Leo carries a more ominous meaning. According to Nostradamus scholars, the French mystic wrote in his famed work Les Prophéties about a "lion on the throne" during the twilight of civilization. This line has been interpreted by some as a direct reference to a pope named Leo who would rise to power as the world approaches its final reckoning. Though these interpretations are speculative, the convergence of this papal name with global crises has fueled renewed interest in the idea that Pope Leo XIV could be the last to lead the Catholic Church. A papacy born in uncertainty Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, was not a leading candidate in the early stages of the 2025 papal conclave. His unexpected election on the fourth ballot surprised many Vatican observers, marking a dramatic shift in the Church's leadership. His choice of the name Leo, combined with his American heritage and deep ties to the Augustinian order, has fueled speculation about his symbolic role in the broader arc of Church history. His opening words as pope, "Peace be with you," resonated deeply in a world grappling with conflict, climate disruption, and social upheaval. These words, though meant to calm, have taken on a prophetic tone in light of the dire warnings embedded in both the Nostradamus and Malachian prophecies. Will the world end in 2027? Prophecies suggest a final countdown Another striking aspect of this emerging narrative is the claim that the world might end in 2027. This date, derived from interpretations of various prophecies and numerological calculations, aligns with the supposed end of the current papal line. Some theorists argue that the countdown to this date began in 1585, when Pope Sixtus V, seen as a pivotal figure in the prophetic timeline, ascended to the papacy. If accurate, this calculation suggests that 442 years later — 2027 — could mark the end of an era for the Church and possibly the world. Also read | Baba Vanga's chilling prediction comes true: The device that's becoming a silent killer for all ages Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nostradamus' chilling predictions: Is Pope Leo XIV the final Pontiff? Prophecies point to the world's end in 2027
The historic election of Pope Leo XIV , the first American to assume the papal throne, has ignited a flurry of speculation surrounding centuries-old apocalyptic forecasts. #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations The chief among them is the Nostradamus prophecy that suggests the current pontiff could be the last in the line of St. Peter's successors and the world might end in 2027, as per a report by EDA TV news. A Papal Name Stirring Prophetic Echoes The name Leo has seldom been used in modern papal history, last borne by Pope Leo XIII in the 19th century. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 9 years ago - Most beautiful twins. Their appearance today will shock you Novelodge The selection of "Leo XIV" has not only caught Vatican observers off-guard but has also revived dormant concerns among theologians and esoteric scholars alike. According to interpretations of Nostradamus' predictions for Pope Leo, the emergence of a Pope bearing that name might coincide with the end of the Church's spiritual dominance — or worse, a final reckoning. Live Events The 16th-century French seer, Michel de Nostredame, widely known as Nostradamus, is believed by some to have warned of a future pope who would reign during an era of grave turmoil, preceding a collapse of religious institutions, as per a report by EDAtv. While his verses are cryptic, a passage in Les Prophéties referencing a "lion on the throne at world's dusk" has been linked — albeit controversially — to Pope Leo XIV by modern interpreters. Prophecies Pointing to an End? Alongside Nostradamus's ambiguous quatrains, many are revisiting the Prophecy of the Popes , attributed to 12th-century Irish Archbishop Saint Malachy. That text lists 112 popes ending with one known as " Peter the Roman ," who is said to guide the Church through tribulation before the fall of Rome itself. Curiously, some believe that the election of Pope Leo XIV, though not literally "Peter," may fulfill the spirit of the prophecy due to his symbolic name, American origin, and the turbulent global backdrop. Recent popes have often been linked to the prophetic list attributed to St. Malachy. For instance, Benedict XVI was associated with the phrase 'glory of the olive' due to his connection with the Olivetan order, while John Paul II—born during a solar eclipse—was tied to the motto 'of the eclipse of the sun.' Some interpretations suggest that the list's midpoint was reached in 1585 with the election of Pope Sixtus V. If accurate, this would imply the world could end in 2027, 442 years later, prompting speculation and unease among those who take the prophecy seriously, as mentioned in the report by EDA TV News. A Pontificate Born in Uncertainty Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was not a leading contender in early ballots, making his fourth-round election a surprise within the 133-member conclave. His opening words — 'Peace be with you' — offered a message of hope. Yet the optics of his papacy and the setting of the world stage, rife with conflict, climate upheaval, and moral disarray, are what have lent renewed weight to the Nostradamus prophecy. The new pope's ties to the Order of Saint Augustine, his fluency in Spanish, and his 2002 visit to León, a city with symbolic ties to Christian Europe, have only deepened the aura of prophecy. Commentators note that Nostradamus, in his writings, spoke of a 'leader of the Church descending from the West in an age of fire and upheaval,' which some interpret as a veiled reference to an American-born pontiff. FAQs What connection does Nostradamus have with Pope Leo XIV? Nostradamus, a 16th-century French seer, allegedly foretold of a pope who would preside during an era of crisis and global decline. A quatrain referencing a 'lion on the throne' has been interpreted by some as alluding to Pope Leo XIV, who ascended during a time of international instability. What is the 'Prophecy of the Popes'? Attributed to 12th-century Archbishop Saint Malachy, the 'Prophecy of the Popes' lists 112 popes, ending with a final one called 'Peter the Roman,' who is said to guide the Church through great tribulation. Pope Leo XIV, although not named Peter, is seen by some as symbolically fitting this role due to his origins and timing.
Buzz Feed
02-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
40 Scary Wikipedia Pages That Are For Adults Only
Have you ever found yourself awake, unable to sleep, and scrolling down a deep internet rabbit hole on Wikipedia? Well, many people have, especially on the CREEPY Wikipedia pages. In fact, here are some that were so creepy that people on Reddit, as well as our BuzzFeed Community, just HAD to share them: Warning: This post contains disturbing stories including mentions of death. 1. The horrifying murder of Cara Knott, who was killed by a police officer: "Cara Knott was an American student who disappeared on Dec. 27, 1986. On December 28, her body was recovered at the bottom of a ravine. Her killer, a police officer, was interviewed while covering the investigation of the murder, and scratches, that were inflicted by Knott, are seen on his face." — u/trissle_hippie 2. Armin Meiwes, who gained international notoriety as the "Cannibal of Rotenburg": 3. The cryptic and unsettling Prophecy of the Popes, a controversial and widely debated series of cryptic Latin phrases that are believed to predict the succession of Roman Catholic popes: "Originally published in 1595, this document is a series of cryptic phrases said to predict the order of Catholic popes until the time of 'Peter the Roman,' a pope who will proceed the destruction of Rome." — TheNavidsonLP 4. The injury of gymnast Elena Mukhina that left her paralyzed: "…her first thought as she lay on the floor with her neck severely broken was, 'Thank God, I won't be going to the Olympics.'' — u/zetsv 5. Black-eyed children, a kind of urban legend that will leave you feeling creeped out. 6. The death of actor Carole Lombard and a group of Army soldiers: Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Via Getty "On Jan. 16, 1942, 33-year-old actor Carole Lombard won a coin toss that determined she and her group would return home from a war bond tour by plane instead of by train. Their flight wound up crashing into a mountain outside Las Vegas, killing all 22 on board, including 15 US Army soldiers." — u/Go_To_Bethel_And_Sin 7. The unsettling "screaming" Mummies of Guanajuato: "Due to the cholera pandemic, many bodies were buried immediately to control the spread of the disease. It is thought that in some cases, the dying may have been buried alive by accident, resulting in horrific facial expressions." — u/unknownerror1916 8. The Disappearance of Asha Degree, who went missing on Feb. 14, 2000, in Shelby, North Carolina under strange circumstances: WCNC / Via "Asha Degree was 9 years old when she left her family's house in the middle of the night and during a storm, only bringing her book bag with her. She was last seen walking along a roadway by passing motorists. To this day she has not been found. Further interesting points, over a year later, her book bag would be found at a construction site wrapped in a plastic bag. So far, leads in the case have turned out to be dead ends. Every year her family organizes a walk from their house to the spot she was last seen in order to bring attention to her case." — EphemeralTypewriter 9. The tragic case of Aeroflot Flight 593 that crashed because of an innocent accident: "On Mar. 23, 1994, a captain of a commercial airliner had his children in the cockpit of an Airbus A310 wide body jet aircraft during a revenue flight. One of them accidentally bumped the autopilot switch. There were no survivors." — u/ViolenceForBreakfast 10. David Parker Ray, known as the "Toy Box Killer," an American kidnapper, serial rapist, and suspected serial killer: "This scares the shit out of me. Ray, commonly known as the 'Toy-Box Killer,' would drug his victims, who would then wake up strapped to a gynecology examination chair, and a tape would be played for them explaining Ray's 'rules.' It's terrifying." 11. The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer which remains unsolved: "In 2006, an Ohio State medical student named Brian Shaffer entered a bar with friends. After being recorded entering through the bar's only publicly accessible entrance by security cameras, Shaffer was never seen exiting the bar and has never been seen or heard from since." — u/LivingRaccoon 12. The earthquake you can hear during a recording of Pink Floyd's "Shine on You Crazy Diamond": Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music / Getty Images "A man was recording a copy of 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond' when an earthquake hit. The recording starts to bump as the shockwave arrives, and then the audio switches to the rumble of the earthquake along with the voices of the scared people inside the house." — u/slinkslowdown (You can hear the actual recording here.) 13. The Posthumous Beheading of Mata Hari: 14. The Murder of Helle Crafts, which inspired the movie Fargo: 15. Smile mask syndrome, which sounds like the premise of a horror film: "Smile mask syndrome is a psychological disorder in which subjects develop depression and physical illness as a result of prolonged, unnatural smiling. It can lead to severe physical strain of the mouth and can result in an inability to stop smiling, even when upset or agitated." — u/ratandparrot 16. The Persian Princess, a mummy sold on the black market: "A sarcophagus sold on the black market that contained a mummy claimed to be that of an ancient princess, later discovered to be the body of an unidentified woman murdered in the 1990s." — u/silversunshinestares 17. The Disappearance of Jamie Fraley who was sick with stomach flu and last heard from at the hospital before telling a friend "someone" was picking her up there. "Suspected serial murderer, and father of Jamie's fiancé, Ricky Simonds, was an initial person of interest in her disappearance. In 2008, he was found dead of heat stroke in the trunk of his ex-girlfriend's car. Investigators on the case believe Simonds was waiting in the trunk to ambush and murder his ex-girlfriend, when he became locked in the vehicle." — u/Shaun_Ryder 18. The Killing of Henryk Siwiak, the last person killed in New York on 9/11: ABC7NY / Via "The last person killed in New York on 9/11 was Henryk Siwiak, a victim of an unsolved murder, killed shortly before midnight. His homicide is the only one recorded in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, since the city does not include the deaths from the attacks in its official crime statistics." — u/noonoonomore 19. Sogen Kato, thought to be Tokyo's oldest man: "Sogen Kato was thought to have been Tokyo's oldest man until July 2010, when his mummified corpse was found. He died in November 1978, aged 79, and his family never announced his death in an attempt to preserve his longevity record." — u/slinkslowdown 20. Eben Byers, who drank bottles of radium-spiked tonic: Based On / Via "Eben Byers: Wealthy American playboy and amateur sportsman who was so thrilled when a radium-spiked tonic seemed to cure his chronic pain that he drank 1,400 bottles in two and a half years, besides sending cases to girlfriends and dosing his racehorses. Then his bones started to disintegrate..." — u/Shoereader 21. The Kids for Cash scandal: CNBC / Via "TIL about the Kids for Cash scandal: Two judges were convicted of taking bribes to ensure that for-profit juvenile detention centers were profitable." — u/black_flag_4ever 22. Lizzie Borden, who was widely suspected of brutally killing her father and stepmother with an axe. "Lizzie Borden's page scares the crap out of me. Not only is the story of what she did so twisted and inconsistent, but the pictures of her literally look hellish." — m40957e3b9 23. The practices of Carl Tanzler who became obsessed with a woman, embalmed her, and lived with her corpse: "Carl Tanzler, a radiologist who had fallen in love with a woman named Maria Elena Milagro de Hoyos, who was dying from tuberculosis. Eventually, when she died, Tanzler had embalmed her body and had taken it home with him, where he would perform necrophilia on her body for seven years until being discovered." — u/West-Emu-8696 24. Blanche Monnier, who was secretly held captive by her mother: "Blanche Monnier was a French socialite held captive by her mother for 25 years. When she was found by the authorities, she was lying in a bed coved with feces and leftover food. She only weighed 55 pounds. Twelve years after her rescue, she died in an insane asylum, having never regained her sanity." — u/oldnips 25. Fred and Rosemary West, a serial killer couple who committed some of the most heinous crimes: Universal History Archive / Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images "The scariest one was about Fred and Rosemary West, who killed at least 10 young women and girls, some of them their own daughters. Most of the murders involved rape, bondage, torture, and mutilation." — arcticmankeys 27. The Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion in the '80s, which creeped the heck out of people at the time and remains unsolved to this day: Wikipedia, jonrev / Via "The Max Headroom broadcast hijacking thing is creepy on its own level." — victoriae4a50957ed 28. Joyce Vincent, whose corpse was found in a London apartment after she'd reportedly been dead for more than three years. Channel 4 News / Via "She died and was left in her apartment for three years." — mollyc4dc773567 29. Ultimate fate of the universe, which will mess with your head: Science Photo Library - MEHAU KU / Getty Images "Just reading about how the world is probably gonna end scares me even if I'll be dead by then." — secludedanxiety 30. The deadly Balloonfest '86 in Cleveland, Ohio: Bettmann / Bettmann Archive "Cleveland Balloonfest '86, with 1.4 million balloons and 2 deaths." — u/noonoonomore 31. Project MKUltra, a human experimentation program created and run by the CIA from the 1950s to the '70s. Bettmann / Bettmann Archive "Check out anything regarding MKUltra — aka the CIA's mind control program. These horrifying experiments actually inspired Stranger Things!" — alisons4b9dda6ba 32. The disappearance of Maura Murray in New Hampshire, which remains unsolved: CBS Boston / Via "Maura went missing in 2004 and there are a lot of strange details about her disappearance, including fake family deaths, a car crash she abandoned, and strange phone calls." — dominickk2 33. June and Jennifer Gibbons, aka "The Silent Twins", whose wild story inspired a 2022 film: PA Images / PA Images via Getty Images "They were twin sisters who only spoke to each other. They became criminals and were eventually sent to a psych ward for 11 years. One sister killed herself in order for the other to start living a normal life. Eerie and interesting!" — chrisjay 34. The Hinterkaifeck murders, a gruesome and still-unsolved multiple homicide that took place in Germany in March 1922: Heritage Images / Getty Images "A farmer noticed footprints in the snow going towards his farm but none going the other direction, family members heard strange noises in the attic, keys went missing, and a newspaper that no one in the family read was found on the farm. The maid quit because she thought the place was haunted. On the same day that the new maid arrived, the entire family, as well as the new maid, was murdered. No one ever figured out who the mysterious intruder was or if/why he killed the family." — imafreakokay 35. The Villisca axe murders, a gruesome and still-unsolved mass killing that took place in Villisca, Iowa, on the night of June 9–10, 1912: "The unsolved, violent murder of the Moore family and their two houseguests in the middle of the night." — monikap6 36. Nathaniel Bar-Jonah, a convicted child molester and suspected serial killer with cannibalistic tendencies: KRTV / Via "He was a monster who combined such atrocities as kidnapping and cannibalism. He was apparently working on a recipe book containing body parts. I read that Wiki last year after watching the series Real Detective (last episode of Season 1, available on Netflix). Still scared shitless from it." — patrickp497b6e839 37. Charles Domery, whose story has been documented as one of the most extreme instances of polyphagia (excessive hunger) in medical history: Campwillowlake / Getty Images "He was a Polish soldier who had a bizarre appetite. Doesn't sound scary until you find out he ate cats, leather, candles, a human leg, etc. He never got full, he was never sick, and it is an unsolved medical mystery." — dmmoore13 38. Karl Patterson Schmidt, who recorded his own horrible death from a snake bite: TAK / Getty Images "He was a distinguished herpetologist and the world's top expert on coral snakes. Then one day he was sent a small snake to identify. The snake, a boomslang, bit him but he didn't believe the venom could kill him. So he decided to keep a journal of his symptoms. He kept recording everything he experienced almost until he collapsed unconscious and died of severe internal bleeding." — nickm427c0c808 39. List of unusual deaths, which is fascinating and terrifying at the same time: Vyasphoto / Getty Images "So this is really scary, but addicting. I've read them all, so now, when the mood fancies me, I'll go to the page and scroll right to the 21st century for updates. But every now and then more older ones are added so you have to do a quick once-over." — khjakubec 40. Finally, the very sad term "endling": Topical Press Agency / Getty Images "An endling is the last known individual of a species or subspecies. Once the endling dies, the species becomes extinct." — u/ActualGiantPenguin What's the creepiest Wikipedia page you know of? Tell us all about it in the comments or via the totally anonymous form below! Note: Some responses and submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
RTÉ News
29-04-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Simpsons to Saints: How misinformation swirled about Pope's death
Over the past week a torrent of false narratives, misleading videos and ancient prophecies related to Pope Francis and the Vatican has erupted across social media. Within hours of Pope Francis being brought to St Peter's Basilica in The Vatican last week to lie in state, social media users were posting videos suggesting that discolouration around his face suggested "third-party abuse" or foul play. His cause of death was a stroke followed by a coma and cardiocirculatory collapse. Medical experts quoted in Italian media said the bruise-like marks on the Pope's face were compatible with this type of stroke, especially in patients in very critical conditions. The claim that Pope Francis had been abused or killed proved to be just one of a whirlwind of conspiracies that swirled around his final days. Others involved recirculating of a 'doomsday prophecy' associated with a twelfth century Irish saint, St Malachy Archbishop of Armagh, which was first promoted in the late 1500s and is itself widely considered to hoax. Elsewhere, in a modern twist, social media users also falsely claimed the Simpsons had correctly predicted the exact date of the Pope's death. "For people who willfully engage in creating false and misleading content online, there's enormous opportunities for engagement, or for promoting their own agenda, or for financial incentives as well," Ciaran O'Connor of the Institue for Strategic Dialogue told Prime Time. Mr O'Connor monitors online misinformation and disinformation. "I do think that there is a significant element of engagement farming or engagement chasing going on, particularly on platforms like X," he said. "The very nature of those platforms revolves around creating viral content and trying to get attention on that, and maybe some financial motives that kick in down the line." The claims made relating to predictions in The Simpsons were quickly sourced back to videos posted on social media on the day Pope Francis died. While captions claimed the videos were from a little-known episode of the series, they instead appear to have been AI-generated. The Irish saint's 'prophecy' which has also been circulated online is linked to a document known as the Prophecy of the Popes, which is said to have been discovered in the Vatican Archives in 1590 but written hundreds of years prior. It 'predicted' there would be 112 further popes before Doomsday, something online posters have leapt upon, claiming Pope Francis was the 112th. They made similar claims when Francis was selected as Pope in 2013. However, reputable Catholic scholars and Vatican historians have said for hundreds of years that the so-called prophecy is a hoax and forgery. Beyond that there have also been multiple examples of videos taken out of context. For example, a video claiming to show mourners self-flagellating in The Vatican to mourn the death of Pope Francis in fact was footage from a Catholic Easter procession in Spain. This wave of misinformation is not exactly surprising. The Pope found himself at the centre of similar campaigns not infrequently. In 2016, a viral post on Meta claiming that he had endorsed President Trump and ordered Catholics not to vote for Hillary Clinton was linked to a content farm in Macedonia spreading fake pro-Trump news stories for profit. Other unproven claims linked him to the military junta that ruled over Argentina in the 1970s and 1980s, some said he was culpable for torture of two Jesuit colleagues who were abducted by security forces. "You can't also get away from the fact that the Pope himself was someone who was seen as quite outspoken on a number of prominent political geopolitical issues," Mr O'Connor said. Those issues "attract all types of figures who have their own motivations in creating false or misleading content and maybe piggybacking off the death of Pope Francis to kind of further their own narratives, their own campaigns as well," he added. When Pope Francis went into hospital on 14 February false rumors of his death ran rampant, with social media influencers and sleuths turning up to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome to try and figure if he was there. Some falsely claimed that the Pope had already died and the Vatican was covering it up. Despite multiple updates on the Pope's health, and a voice note from the Pope, online conspiracy theorists insisted that deepfake audio recordings were being used to 'hide the truth.' Major deaths and world events often trigger such surges of misinformation, according to Mr O'Connor, who noted the additional layer of intrigue and mysticism added this time by the role, history, and secrecy of the Church. For Mr O'Connor, it is fertile ground for conspiracy to thrive. "As an institution, the Catholic Church is steeped in all types of rituals, all manner of secrecy. Of course, there's numerous kinds of scandals or cover ups," Mr O'Connor said. "All of these traits can be used to paint the Catholic Church as the kind of secret, or esoteric, organisation that is so often found at the core of conspiracy theories. The Church itself is often seen as a kind of gateway to power or control, and that kind of balance between good and evil." Pope Francis himself addressed the dangers of disinformation in a 2018 message. He said it "discredits others, presenting them as enemies, to the point of demonising them and fomenting conflict.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump and Zelensky hold meeting ahead of Pope Francis funeral
Volodymyr Zelensky said his meeting with Donald Trump on the fringes of the Pope's funeral 'has potential to become historic'. The Ukrainian president and his US counterpart met within St Peter's Basilica after they each paid respects at Francis' coffin. A photograph of the two leaders shows them sat opposite one another on chairs within the great church at the heart of Vatican City. Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 26, 2025 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and France's Emmanuel Macron were also pictured alongside the American and Ukrainian presidents in images from the encounter, though details have yet to be released about their involvement. The US has been pressing Ukraine to accept a peace deal which would require Kyiv to accept Russian control of vast swathes of occupied land. Mr Zelensky has insisted he will not recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, the region occupied by Moscow's forces since 2014, nor continued Kremlin control in Ukraine's south and east. He has called for Vladimir Putin to instead accept an unconditional end to the fighting. Following the funeral ceremony's end, the Ukrainian leader said his face-to-face encounter with Mr Trump – their first since a tempestuous clash in the White House in February – had been a 'good meeting'. In a post on social media site X, he added: 'We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. 'Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. 'Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.' Mr Zelensky's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said the meeting lasted around 15 minutes. READ MORE: In pictures: the late Pope Francis, his life and papacy What is the Prophecy of the Popes? The prediction that splits opinion Mr Trump was reported to have left Rome soon after the funeral, while the Ukrainian leader was expected to engage in further talks with other leaders. The Ukrainian leader received a round of applause as he stepped out into St Peter's Square from the basilica and was noticed by other world leaders. Elsewhere during the funeral, Mr Trump and Mr Macron shook hands as part of the ceremony. The leaders made the gesture when the congregation was invited to offer those around them a 'sign of peace' – a traditional part of the Roman Catholic mass. The gathering in Rome offers the UK's Sir Keir the opportunity to raise continued support for Ukraine, and other issues like US tariffs, with his counterparts from across the globe. William, the Prince of Wales, is also among the leading dignitaries who attended the ceremony in St Peter's Square. The Prince spoke with both the US president and Mr Macron as world leaders gathered ahead of the funeral. The Prime Minister and Mr Macron are leading efforts to establish a peacekeeping mission that will enforce a possible future ceasefire in Ukraine. Reports in recent days have suggested British military figures think the so-called coalition of the willing is now too-risky a prospect. Downing Street has brushed aside these claims, while the Telegraph newspaper has reported the US has privately indicated it is willing to back up European peacekeepers in the face of potential Russian aggression. As he touched down in Rome on Friday night, Mr Trump called for Ukraine and Russia to meet 'at very high levels' as a deal is now 'very close' to being agreed. He has expressed public anger with Mr Zelensky in recent weeks, because of the Ukrainian leader's insistence he will not cede territory to Moscow to get a peace deal over the line.
