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Pope Francis' final farewell was historic for many reasons — from his personal choice to be buried outside the Vatican in a simple grave to the powerful scenes shared by more than 2,000 people who came to honor him. The day wasn’t just about the ceremony. It was about the unexpected guests, the last-minute changes, and the real, unscripted moments that everyone’s still talking about.
Here’s a look at the 8 moments that made this farewell unforgettable:
The Trump-Zelensky meeting
The most unexpected event occurred when U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly convened inside St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects. They sat down on red chairs, surrounded by aides and bustling cardinals, and started what was described as a "very productive" conversation to push peace negotiations forward.
After the funeral, Zelenskyy described it as a “good meeting” on social media. He said, “We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.” The Ukrainian leader also met separately with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you,” he added.
Julian Assange's appearance
In a packed St. Peter’s Square, under tight security, one presence stood out: Julian Assange. The WikiLeaks founder traveled from Australia and was spotted at one of the entrances to the iconic square framed by 284 columns. He watched the funeral from Via della Conciliazione with his wife, Stella, and their two sons, Gabriel and Max. They came to thank the Pope for the support he showed Assange during his legal battles.
"Now that Julian is free, we all came to Rome to express our family's gratitude for the Pope’s support during Julian's persecution. Our sons and I had the honor of meeting Pope Francis in June 2023 to discuss how to free Julian from Belmarsh Prison (in southeast London). Francis wrote to Julian in prison and even offered him asylum at the Vatican," said Stella, who married Assange while he was still imprisoned.
Biden's selfie marathon
Before 9 a.m., Joe and Jill Biden arrived at St. Peter’s Square. The former U.S. president caused a stir, taking selfies with everyone who asked — from Vatican officials to world leaders who came to say goodbye to a Pope who once said he wanted to be "a shepherd with the smell of his sheep."
Biden first met Pope Francis in 2013 during the Pope's inauguration. Later, he hosted him in Washington. "He was unlike any who came before him. He'll be remembered as one of the most important leaders of our time, and I'm a better man for having known him," Biden said. He praised Francis’ lifelong commitment to the poor, his work for peace, his defense of the planet, and his ability to make everyone feel welcomed and seen by the Church.
A hug between the Pope's two 'Nations'
As guests poured in and found their places, one gesture stole the spotlight: the warm hug between Argentina's President Javier Milei and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Surrounded by Argentina’s Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, the two leaders reflected on the bond and closeness they’ve built recently. Both delegations were seated very close to Pope Francis’ casket — a nod to his Argentine roots and Italian heritage.
Royalty rocking sunglasses
With Rome waking up to almost summer-like heat, guests ditched protocol to avoid heatstroke during the two-hour outdoor ceremony. Cue the unusual sight: royalty wearing sunglasses. King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Rania of Jordan, Prince Albert of Monaco, and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium all wore shades. Even some clergy members opted for baseball caps.
The speedy Popemobile
The Pope’s final journey took him from the Vatican to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he had requested to be buried. It was supposed to be a slow, hour-long procession to let the 150,000 gathered faithful say goodbye. However, the event unfolded differently: the Popemobile swiftly traversed through Rome, passing the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, the Colosseum, and the Imperial Forums, causing many to barely catch a glimpse, let alone capture a photo.
The handshake between the Spanish Royals and Melania Trump
The Trumps' presence drew plenty of attention, with every move scrutinized. As they made their way to their seats, Donald Trump stopped often to greet other leaders, while Melania Trump moved ahead. At one point, she shook hands with Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain, who were seated in the same row.
An organized seating Chart
Seating wasn’t random. Every guest had an assigned spot, and to avoid any diplomatic headaches, they organized it alphabetically — but in French. It was a delicate but smart move to keep everything smooth.