Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with First Lady Olena Zelenska, arrived in the Italian capital, Rome, to attend the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 after a prolonged battle with illness
The high-level guest’s visit from Kyiv caused significant public resonance and confirmed the importance of European and global attention to the funeral rites. Ukrainian President’s spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, confirmed the arrival of the Ukrainian delegation, noting that along with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, First Lady Olena Zelenska and other representatives of Ukrainian leadership had arrived in Rome. According to the official, the main Ukrainian delegate, together with his wife, will represent the country at this significant ceremony, which holds great symbolic and spiritual meaning. “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, First Lady Olena Zelenska, and the Ukrainian delegation are already in Rome to participate in the funeral service for Pope Francis,” Nykyforov reported to Europravda. This decision by Ukraine’s leadership underscores the special importance of the Pope’s spiritual legacy for the Ukrainian people, as well as the desire to honor the memory of a spiritual mentor who has actively supported Ukraine in its fight for rights and values over recent years. Before traveling to Italy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly emphasized that participating in the farewell to Pope Francis holds particular significance for Ukraine. However, considering personal commitments and national priorities, he had to account for the complex security situation, which possibly limited his personal presence due to a busy schedule and military engagements. The president expressed hope that, despite these circumstances, the Ukrainian delegation would be able to pay appropriate respects to the spiritual leader and the entire global community. Furthermore, Volodymyr Zelenskyy openly discussed the possibility of a personal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the funeral ceremonies. Organizers and representatives from both sides did not dismiss the likelihood of a meeting at the Vatican, which could become an important diplomatic event and a crossroads for political dialogues amid challenging international relations. Trump, for his part, also did not rule out a meeting with the Ukrainian leader, suggesting that it could be arranged during the ceremony or parallel events. Overall, Zelenskyy’s visit to Rome became one of the main highlights of Ukraine’s diplomatic and spiritual mission, reaffirming the strategic importance of spiritual leaders in contemporary international relations and the high level of global attention to Ukrainian issues. It is believed that such participation will serve not only as an act of remembrance but also as a vital symbol of support and unity for the Ukrainian people during this difficult period for the country.