Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a private meeting at the Vatican before Pope Francis's funeral, sparking discussions about potential peace efforts in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting, lasting about 15 minutes, was described as productive, with both leaders expressing hopes for a lasting peace and a ceasefire. This was the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since a previous meeting in February. Discussions also included protecting lives and future negotiations. The meeting took place while attending the funeral of Pope Francis, who advocated for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.
10 days ago
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on April 26, 2025, prior to the funeral of Pope Francis 1 4. The meeting, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, took place in a marbled room near the baptistry chapel 1 11. Vatican officials arranged ornate chairs for the two leaders 2.
The discussions between Trump and Zelenskyy centered on potential peace overtures to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine 2 5. Zelenskyy stated that the talks covered "protecting lives," achieving a "full and unconditional ceasefire," and establishing a "reliable and lasting peace" to prevent future wars 2 3. He described the meeting as "very symbolic" and expressed hope that it could become "historic" if joint results are achieved 2 5.
Following the meeting, Trump appeared to shift his stance on Russia, criticizing President Vladimir Putin for recent missile attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine 1 3. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump questioned Putin's commitment to ending the war and suggested exploring "Banking" or "Secondary Sanctions" as alternative measures 1 6. This contrasted with earlier reports that the Trump administration was pressuring Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal that would cede territory to Russia 1 6.
The meeting at the Vatican marked the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since a contentious exchange in the Oval Office in February 1 4. Their relationship has been marked by complex interactions, including a controversial phone call in 2019 that led to Trump's first impeachment 10. Trump has been trying to broker an end to the war in Ukraine that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded 4.
Pope Francis's long-standing advocacy for peace, particularly in Ukraine, served as a backdrop to the meeting 2 5. Throughout his papacy, Francis consistently called for dialogue and an end to the conflict, offering to mediate between the involved parties 5. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re's homily during the funeral Mass emphasized Francis's efforts to bring together people in conflict, further highlighting the late Pope's dedication to peace 1 3. Some observers suggested that any potential breakthrough in peace negotiations could be seen as "Francis' first miracle" 5.
While I cannot confirm the specific details of a meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the Vatican during a Pope's funeral to discuss peace from the provided documents, I can offer information on related topics based on Church teachings and practices.
The Church consistently advocates for peace, dialogue, and cooperation in international relations, and it views diplomatic efforts as essential for resolving conflicts and promoting a more just and harmonious world .