Earlier this morning, Rome became more than the stage for Pope Francis’ funeral—it was the backdrop for a pivotal meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The private discussion, held before the somber ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, was described by White House communications director Steven Cheung as “very productive,” with promises of further details to come. This marked their first face-to-face since a heated February clash in the Oval Office, which had strained U.S.-Ukraine ties.

The meeting occurred amid Trump’s renewed push for a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire. Late Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Kyiv and Moscow were “very close to a deal,” following his envoy Steve Witkoff’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy, however, has remained cautious, prioritizing Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Vatican’s diplomatic setting, with 130 delegations present, offered a neutral ground for this delicate exchange.

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While the funeral’s French alphabetical seating kept Trump and Zelenskyy apart—Trump near Eswatini and Ethiopia, Zelenskyy elsewhere—their brief encounter sparked hope.

Ukrainian officials hinted at a potential follow-up meeting post-ceremony, though Zelenskyy’s spokesman offered no specifics. With global leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen nearby, the day buzzed with diplomatic intrigue.

Could this meeting signal progress in ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II? Only time will tell, but Rome’s sacred soil may have sown seeds for peace.

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