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Today, once again, Rome rediscovered itself as the spiritual and political capital of the world. From the early hours of the morning, tens of thousands of faithful filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets to pay tribute to Pope Francis, the people’s Pope, the shepherd who accompanied his flock until his final breath. A city dressed in mourning but filled with deep spirituality heard the Basilica’s bells toll solemnly as the coffin of Francis crossed the square, embraced by an emotional crowd.
Carried on the shoulders of the pallbearers and topped with a simple open Gospel, Rome witnessed the funeral procession stretch across 5.5 kilometers of history—from St. Peter’s Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore—passing in front of the Capitoline Hill, the Altar of the Fatherland, and the Colosseum: landmarks that testify to the Eternal City’s greatness. Church bells throughout Rome rang in unison as the people—Romans and the world alike—bid farewell to the Pope of peace.
But today, Rome was not only the capital of mourning Christianity: it was also the stage for a global political event.
Trump and Zelensky: A Meeting Full of Meaning
Shortly before the ceremony began, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met. This was no casual encounter, nor merely a formality. Facilitated by the diplomatic efforts of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the meeting between the Ukrainian leader and the former U.S. president—now once again a central figure on the world stage—took on historic significance: discussing peace on the very day the world mourned the “Pope of peace.”
“A good meeting, we had time for a thorough face-to-face discussion. We hope that what was said will lead to a lasting peace,” Zelensky commented on Telegram. Trump, for his part, showed firmness, denouncing recent Russian attacks on civilian targets and calling for new pressure measures against Moscow. A shift that, if confirmed, could open new scenarios after years of stalled negotiations.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that the meeting between Trump and Zelensky took place in a spirit of great frankness, with Ukraine presenting a new peace proposal: no immediate NATO membership, no full recovery of lost territories, but Western-backed security guarantees and reconstruction funded by frozen Russian assets. A realistic plan aimed at stability, albeit not without painful compromises.
Giorgia Meloni: The Silent Architect of a New Course
Behind this long-awaited meeting is the discreet yet decisive leadership of Giorgia Meloni. The Italian Prime Minister skillfully leveraged Italy’s renewed prestige—strengthened even more in this moment of shared sorrow—to promote dialogue. After welcoming Zelensky at Palazzo Chigi, Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s strong support for “a just and lasting peace, ensuring Ukraine’s future security, sovereignty, and freedom.”
With balance and pragmatism, Meloni reiterated that Italy will always stand on the side of freedom and international law, but now, more than ever, the priority must be to avoid an endless war that continues to claim innocent lives.
“Seeing Trump and Zelensky talking about peace during the funeral of the ‘Pope of peace’ – Meloni said – carries enormous significance.” In a Europe often paralyzed by tactical maneuvers and divisions, the Italian Prime Minister continues to emerge as a leader with vision and courage.
Rome, Eternal and Central
While the world looks to Rome for its moral and spiritual value, today it also reaffirmed its political centrality. Rome remains the crossroads where hopes and diplomacy intersect, the stage where history is made.
The funeral of Pope Francis was not just a moment of sorrow and prayer, but also an opportunity to relaunch a message: faith, a sense of community, and the pursuit of peace are values that endure through the centuries. Today, Rome once again became a universal symbol.
And perhaps, from this day of mourning and prayer, the first seeds of a possible peace have been planted.