Trump in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in first foreign trip of new term

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump arrived in Rome on April 25 for the funeral of Pope Francis, where he will brush shoulders with an array of world leaders on the unexpected first foreign trip of his second term.

Mr Trump, who was accompanied by his wife Melania, had a distant relationship with the late pontiff who did not hesitate to criticise him sharply on his signature policy of mass deportations of migrants.

But Mr Trump will not miss what is set to be a major diplomatic gathering in which some 50 heads of state including 10 reigning monarchs.

Among them may be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in what would be the two leaders’ first time together in person since a disastrous White House meeting on Feb 28.

Mr Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance in that meeting berated Mr Zelensky, calling him ungrateful for the billions of dollars of US military assistance since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Mr Trump, while calling on Russia to stop its aerial attacks on Ukraine, has recently blamed Mr Zelensky for the war and the continuing bloodshed.

Mr Zelensky said on April 25 he may miss the funeral due to military meetings after recent deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv.

Rubbing shoulders with Biden

No meetings have been announced in Rome for Mr Trump, who is due to stay only half a day in the Eternal City.

But Mr Trump may find discomfort around some leaders around him – chief among them his predecessor, Mr Joe Biden.

Mr Biden is a devout Catholic and was close with Francis. He will travel independently to Rome, his office said, even though under protocol former presidents generally travel on Air Force One for funerals.

Mr Trump has relentlessly attacked Mr Biden and torn down his legacy in his nearly 100 days in office, with Mr Biden in turn recently speaking out against Mr Trump’s policies.

President George W. Bush took two of his predecessors, Mr Bill Clinton and his father George H.W. Bush, on Air Force One for Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005.

Mr Trump’s trip to Italy comes after he rattled European allies by imposing sweeping tariffs, although he at least temporarily has backed down from the most severe measures.

French President Emmanuel Macron, one leader who has managed to forge a bond with Mr Trump, and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will both be at the funeral, as will top EU executives Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa.

Also in attendance will be Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a veteran leftist whose vanquished rival Jair Bolsonaro was an ideological soulmate of Mr Trump.

Mr Lula has been critical of Mr Trump but has avoided major confrontation since the Republican billionaire’s return.

The funeral will also bring leaders more ideologically in tune with Mr Trump, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Javier Milei of Argentina, the late Pope’s home country.

Mr Trump also paid a brief visit to France after his election but before his inauguration for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral. Mr Macron brought him together with Mr Zelensky on the sidelines.

Mr Trump’s first foreign trip was supposed to be to oil-rich Gulf Arab states, where he is hoping to see business opportunities and press for closer relations with Israel.

He is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13. AFP