On April 26, 2025, former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, along with over 50 world leaders, gathered at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City for the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. Despite their political differences, both Trump and Biden attended out of respect for the late pontiff.
Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania, paid his respects at the pope’s coffin during the ceremony. The event also featured a brief private meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking their first interaction since tensions escalated during a meeting in February, amidst ongoing U.S. mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Biden, accompanied by his wife Jill, was seated a few rows behind Trump. There was no meeting between the two former presidents during the service.
The funeral, which drew large crowds, was marked by spiritual solemnity and heightened security. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily emphasizing Pope Francis’ call to “build bridges, not walls,” a subtle reference to Trump’s border wall policies.
Notable attendees included French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Zelensky, and other global dignitaries. The ceremony concluded with Pope Francis’ burial at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, honoring his lifelong commitment to humility and service.
