Pope Francis’ funeral was attended by more than 250,000 people. The Italian government confirmed the presence of over 100 foreign delegations.
Among the world leaders who attended the funeral of the first pope from Latin-America was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena.
The two sat in the front row following an exception from the strict rules and traditions regarding seating. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told The Telegraph that Zelenskyy and his wife filled a “vacant place.”
The outfit Zelenskyy wore for Pope Francis’ funeral wasn’t a dark suit accompanied by a long black tie and a black button on the left side of the jacket, as advised. Instead, he wore a tailored military-style field jacket.
The Ukrainian leader hasn’t worn a suit since Russia went into war with his country three years ago. He also didn’t wear a suit during his meeting with Donald Trump at the Oval Office, a topic touched by reporter who criticized Zelenskyy for wearing a military outfit for such a formal meeting.
“I will wear costume after this war will finish,” he replied.
Zelenskyy paid his tributes to Pope Francis despite Ukrainian officials feeling that the Vatican had not done enough to support Ukraine.
In March 2024, Pope Francis triggered criticism when he said Ukraine should negotiate and end the war by showing the courage “the courage to raise the white flag.”
“The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates,” Pope Francis said. “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.”
Ukraine firmly rejected the pope’s proposal, with the country’s Vatican ambassador comparing it to appeasing Hitler, and Zelenskyy later addressed the issue without naming the pope.
“They are on the frontline, protecting life and humanity, supporting with prayer, conversation, and deeds,” Zelenskyy said. “This is what the church is – it is together with people, not two-and-a-half thousand kilometres away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.”
Vatican then said that when he spoke of a “white flag,” Pope Francis indicated “a truce reached with the courage of negotiation.”
In December, during a mass, Pope Francis received backlash once again when he called Ukraine and Russia “brother.”
Two months before his passing, the pontiff called the war between the two countries “painful and shameful.”
“As I renew my solidarity with the martyred Ukrainian people, I invite you to remember the victims of all armed conflicts and to pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, Israel, and throughout the Middle East, in Myanmar, in Kivu, and in Sudan,” Pope Francis said.
Ukraine has accused the pope of not doing enough to support their country. They also claimed he hadn’t condemned Russia for the invasion.
An unnamed official told AFP that Vatican and Pope Francis showed an “absolute ignorance of this part of the world.”
Despite the criticism, the Ukrainian official showed gratitude for Vatican’s efforts in mediating the return of Ukrainian children, taken from occupied parts of the country to Russia, as well as in prisoner exchanges.
I met with members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Yesterday, we all received the sorrowful news of the passing of Pope Francis. My condolences. We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine. Our state will be represented in Rome at the farewell… pic.twitter.com/N57BfJzLoR
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 22, 2025
Following Pope Francis’ passing, Zelenskyy paid tribute on his and on the behalf of the Ukrainian people.
“I met with members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Yesterday, we all received the sorrowful news of the passing of Pope Francis. My condolences. We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“Our state will be represented in Rome at the farewell ceremony this coming Saturday. This is now the week following Easter, yet every day brings Russian shelling and strikes. We all believe that this Easter season can provide an opportunity to take the necessary steps toward silence and peace. A real ceasefire is needed, as is a lasting and solid peace. Ukraine needs the support of religious communities — spiritual diplomacy, the diplomacy of values, always helps. This was the central focus of our meeting. It is important to continue engaging with our international partners”.
The President of Ukraine concluded, “I thank the churches and religious organizations for every achievement in advocating for Ukraine, for their prayers, and for the support they have given to our people throughout the entire war.”
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