Vatican breaches protocol with Zelenskyy's front-row seat at Pope's funeral
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
The Vatican breached protocol by giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a front-row seat at the funeral of Pope Francis, reports The Telegraph.
During the funeral of Pope Francis, the Vatican deviated from its traditional protocol and gave Zelenskyy a front-row seat.
Normally, seating for world leaders is arranged alphabetically in French, which is the diplomatic tradition. This would have required Ukraine's president to sit in the third row or even farther back.
However, this time the Vatican made an exception, placing Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, just 11 seats away from US President Donald Trump.
According to the publication, after a brief meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump — their first since the breakdown in the Oval Office — the Ukrainian leader received spontaneous applause in St. Peter's Square.
The seat allocated to Zelenskyy further emphasizes the attention he received at this important event.
It is likely that the Vatican took special measures to ensure that the Ukrainian president remained the center of attention among world leaders, even despite the traditional protocol rules.
The Vatican did not deny that protocol rules had been violated.
"I believe they filled a vacant place," said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Notably, the protocol was strictly followed for other attendees. Argentine President Javier Milei sat next to a Swiss guard, while the Prince of Wales, who represented the king, sat in the third row next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Zelenskyy in the Vatican
As a reminder, on April 26, Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the Vatican to participate in the farewell ceremony for Pope Francis. In Rome, alongside the Ukrainian president, leaders from many countries gathered.
During his visit, Zelenskyy held a series of important talks with international leaders.
In particular, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump, calling his conversation with Trump "very symbolic."
Additionally, the Ukrainian president also met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and had the opportunity to discuss peace in Ukraine with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
