Connect with us

Published

on

The US president lands at Fiumicino tonight and will attend the ceremony with Melania. Zelensky and von der Leyen present, but bilateral unlikely. Tense climate over Ukraine

Donald Trump will land at Fiumicino airport around 11pm today to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday 26 April. With him will be the first lady Melania. The US president confirmed his intention to meet with some world leaders present in Rome, but ruled out the possibility of official, scheduled appointments.

‘I would like to deal with all of them’
Questioned by journalists in the Oval Office before his departure, Trump left the door open to informal contacts with other heads of state: ‘Many of them will be there and will want to meet me to talk about trade,’ he said, referring to the hot topic of duties, which will certainly be at the centre of possible conversations with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who is also expected in the capital.

Zelensky present, but no meeting planned
Among the most eagerly awaited leaders is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite his formal request for a face-to-face meeting with Trump, no real opening has ever come from the US administration. Vatican protocol dictates that the two are not seated next to each other during the ceremony, and no direct contact is planned, even in light of the recent tensions over the peace plan and Crimea.

Indeed, Trump has accused Zelensky of “inflammatory statements” for his outright refusal to recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, as envisaged in the US proposal. A meeting, if it takes place, will be all to watch: it would be the first direct contact since the 28 February clash at the White House.

Difficult bilateral summits
No official meeting has been confirmed by the White House, and even from Brussels it is reported that the possibility of a confrontation with von der Leyen is only theoretical at the moment. ‘It is complicated,’ said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani from Cairo. ‘Maybe there will be greetings during the ceremony, but an actual summit is unrealistic.’

A congressional delegation is also arriving from Washington, while former President Joe Biden will be in Rome separately. Biden had planned a trip to the Vatican in January, a few days before the handover, but was forced to cancel it because of the fires in California. By contrast, George W. Bush and Barack Obama are not expected.

Immediate return to the US
Trump is expected to leave as early as late Saturday morning, immediately after the ceremony. The tight schedule makes it even more difficult to envisage structured meetings. More than 50 heads of state and government are expected in Rome: at most, a few handshakes and exchanges are expected before the US President returns to Washington.

THE LATEST NEWS

Musk Prince Andrea files Epstein: new documents reveal connections

US Congressional documents reveal possible links between the pedophile financier and international figures. Musk Prince Andrea files Epstein, September 27,...
Read More
Musk Prince Andrea files Epstein: new documents reveal connections

North Korea’s nuclear program: Kim Jong Un confirms defense as a priority

The North Korean leader reiterates the importance of nuclear weapons as a deterrent, while Seoul warns of Pyongyang's growing potential...
Read More
North Korea’s nuclear program: Kim Jong Un confirms defense as a priority

Drones fly over military base in Denmark, Karup; investigation underway

Police confirm drone incursions on several military sites in Denmark Drones fly over military base in Denmark, September 27, 2025...
Read More
Drones fly over military base in Denmark, Karup; investigation underway

Congress deadlocked, US government shutdown looms next Wednesday

Without an agreement on the spending bill, non-essential federal activities would be shut down: hundreds of thousands of workers suspended...
Read More
Congress deadlocked, US government shutdown looms next Wednesday

James Comey indicted for obstruction of justice and making false statements

Former FBI Director James Comey, who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, faces up to five...
Read More
James Comey indicted for obstruction of justice and making false statements

Secret summit in Quantico: all US generals summoned, delicate moments

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth calls 800 senior officers without explaining the reasons. Speculation and tension grow Washington, 25 September 2025...
Read More
Secret summit in Quantico: all US generals summoned, delicate moments

(Photo: © AndKronos)

Di Tendenza/Trending