Zelenski announces that it might be missing the funerals of Pope Francis, which Trump goes to

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski says that on Saturday, when Pope Francis is taking place, he must participate in a “series of meetings” related to Russia on Thursday on Kiev, so he may not reach Rome.

Zelenski, who had previously announced that the pope's funeral would participate, said on Friday evening that, “if I am not there in time, Ukraine will be represented at an adequate level,” specifying that the Foreign Minister and the first lady of Ukraine will be present, according to News.ro.

The Ukrainian president said he must participate in a “series of meetings” related to the Russian attack on the Kiev on Thursday, after which 12 people lost their lives.

“There are several closed questions about this blow and the appropriate measures of Ukraine. I don't know how long it will take. So, if I have time, I will definitely be present,” Zelenski added.

Zelenski had previously stated that he was open to a meeting with President Donald Trump on the occasion of the funerals in Rome. “Yes, I wish, I am ready. We are always ready to meet with our partners in the United States,” Zelenski said in a press briefing on Tuesday night, quoted by AFP.

Nor did US President Donald Trump exclude to meet in Italy on Saturday with his Ukrainian counterpart. Asked about such a possibility before climbing into a helicopter to take him to the airport on Friday, Trump said that “it is possible”, adding that he will meet with a number of foreign and government leaders in Rome, according to Agerpres.

If it will take place, the meeting on Saturday would be the first direct meeting between the two leaders from the tense replica exchange in the Oval Bureau in February, which ended with Zelenski's impetuous departure from the White House.

Pope Francis's funerals will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10.00 (11.00, Romania time), according to an announcement of the Vatican.

The tributes brought by the believers to the open coffin of Pope Francis, deposited in the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome, ended on Friday around 19.00 (17.00 GMT), AFP reports. Since Wednesday morning, about 250,000 people have passed by the coffin. It is to be sealed on Friday night, at 8 pm (18.00 GMT), within a private ceremony.

More than 150 international delegates are expected at the funerals. Among the political leaders who announced their presence are US President Donald Trump and the first Mrs. Melania Trump, the President of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen, the French President Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Brazilian president Luiz Inááio Lula Da Silva and the general secretary of the UN António Guterres.

Also, Prince William, the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom, as well as the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, who will represent the country of origin of the Pontiff will be present.