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Vatican Breaks Protocol to Seat Zelenskyy in Front Row at Pope Francis’ Funeral
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
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During the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was given a front-row seat, in a rare departure from traditional protocol, according to The Telegraph on April 26.
Typically, the Vatican arranges seating for world leaders in alphabetical order based on French—the traditional language of diplomacy—with further distinctions between heads of state and government.
Under this system, President Zelenskyy would have been seated in the third row or farther back. However, he was placed in the front row, 11 seats away from US President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska were seated alongside leaders such as the presidents of India, Hungary, Gabon, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
To Zelenskyy’s right sat Irish President Michael D. Higgins, further indicating that the standard seating arrangements were adjusted specifically for the Ukrainian leader.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that protocol was not strictly followed, stating, “I believe they filled a vacant seat.”
Observers noted that other guests were seated according to traditional rules. For example, Argentine President Javier Milei was placed next to a Swiss Guard at the far end of the first row, while Prince William, representing King Charles III, sat in the third row alongside outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his wife Victoria Starmer, and former US President Joe Biden were seated farther back.
Presidents and royalty, such as Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, remained in the front row according to their status, while prime ministers like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni were seated in subsequent rows, adhering to standard protocol.
According to The Telegraph, the Vatican likely took special measures to ensure President Zelenskyy’s prominent position during the ceremony. His arrival was met with spontaneous applause from attendees gathered at St. Peter’s Square, shortly after his brief meeting with President Trump — their first encounter since discussions in the Oval Office.
During his visit to Rome, President Zelenskyy also held several bilateral meetings with international leaders present for the funeral ceremony.
Earlier, after meeting with President Zelenskyy in Rome, US President Donald Trump suggested that Vladimir Putin may not be serious about ending the war, warning that Russia’s continued missile strikes on civilian areas indicate Putin might be “just tapping me along” and may need to be dealt with through new sanctions.
