On April 26, 2025, the world came together in Rome to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. Leaders from across the globe gathered to pay their respects at the Vatican, including President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. As they entered the service, however, the differences in how they were greeted became a topic of intense public discussion.
While the funeral was a somber occasion, the arrival of the world leaders did not go unnoticed. Particularly notable was the contrast in reception between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. As the leaders made their way to the service, a spontaneous and enthusiastic round of applause erupted as Zelenskyy entered, much to the crowd’s apparent admiration. Videos shared on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the enthusiasm with which Zelenskyy was greeted by those present.
“While Zelenskyy was greeted with a spontaneous round of applause, Trump, in his blue suit at Pope Francis’s funeral, received nothing,” read a widely shared caption. The difference in reception between the two leaders did not go unnoticed by the public, sparking debate in the comments section. One user remarked, “That’s a lot of applause honoring #Zelenskyy – it isn’t a mere handful,” while another added, “What a lovely and honest thing to see, amidst all the heartache and shouting, that Europe values this man. Zelenskyy, a true leader.”