The funeral for Pope Francis was intended to be a stripped-down affair to honour the simplicity of the man.
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Instead, the attendance of President Donald Trump has turned it into a high-profile stage for international diplomacy at a moment of geopolitical turmoil.
With the world in the throes of a trade war, markets gyrating wildly and a truce between Ukraine and Russia hanging in the balance, everyone from Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to Britain’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron is seeking a quick audience with the American leader on his first trip abroad since the inauguration.
The brief sojourn, with its blend of religious ceremony and political deal-making, recalls the setting for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in December.
Trump’s appearance at that gathering was a reason for many to rush to Paris for some fly-by negotiating. In Rome, Trump joins 50 heads of state who, along with paying their respects to Francis, are hoping to cross paths with the president.
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Trump, who landed in Italy late on Friday, told reporters on the flight that he was interested in seeing other leaders although he declined to offer any details. His window on the ground to discuss any business is narrow.
