On April 26, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi arrived in Rome to take part in the funeral of Pope Francis. About it to journalists reported Serhiy Nikiforov, press secretary of the president.
“The President of Ukraine has arrived in Rome. Volodymyr Zelensky, First Lady Olena Zelenska and the Ukrainian delegation will take part in the farewell ceremony with Pope Francis”, Nikiforov said.
The day before, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will be represented at the funeral of Pope Francis even if he himself does not make it to the ceremony.
“If I don’t make it, Ukraine will be represented at a decent level. The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Andrii Sybiga) and the First Lady (Olena Zelenska) will be there.”, – Zelensky clarified.
US President Donald Trump and his wife have also already arrived in Rome to participate in the farewell ceremony with Pope Francis. Before the visit, Trump suggested that he “maybe” meet with the President of Ukraine in Rome.
At the same time, the Italian newspaper La Reppublica reported about the alleged intentions of Ukraine to hold a summit in Italy, when world leaders will gather for the Pope’s funeral. It was not only about a possible bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky, but also about the organization of a summit in the “Quint” format – with the participation of the USA, Italy, France, Great Britain and, probably, Germany. The holding of an extended summit raises doubts among some countries, in particular Italy.
