Brussels has confirmed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be attending Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, joining hundreds of world leaders and officials—including U.S. President Donald Trump. The occasion is expected to provide ample opportunity for high-level talks, with discussions potentially extending to an EU-U.S. summit or a one-on-one between von der Leyen and Trump.
The funeral on Saturday, April 22nd, will likely serve as the backdrop for discussions surrounding the ongoing trade war between the EU and the U.S., a topic that has recently been put on pause for 90 days. During a press conference, a Commission spokesperson clarified that von der Leyen’s visit was primarily for the funeral. However, they didn’t rule out the possibility of additional meetings, sparking questions about the chances of face-to-face discussions between the two leaders.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has earned a reputation as a key interlocutor with Trump following her visit to Washington, could play a central role in mediating between EU and U.S. officials on the trade front. She previously suggested a full-scale U.S.-EU summit with all 27 member state leaders, but a gathering of such magnitude on short notice seems unlikely. Instead, a more feasible scenario would see Meloni chairing a bilateral or trilateral meeting, potentially involving von der Leyen and Trump.
Despite the diplomatic opportunities, von der Leyen is cautious about committing to a meeting unless a solid deal or agreement is on the table. The upcoming Friday meeting between EU Executive VP Valdis Dombrovskis and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will set the tone for any potential follow-up talks.
But there’s a risk that von der Leyen could appear weak if she doesn’t meet Trump despite attending the same event. This puts her in a delicate position, especially considering her last-minute change of plans to skip the Notre Dame reopening ceremony in Paris, which allowed Trump to engage with other European leaders in her absence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also be in attendance, hoping to meet Trump to discuss the evolving peace process. Sources suggest that Washington may be open to recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, contingent on Putin agreeing to a ceasefire. While Zelensky maintains that Crimea is a non-negotiable red line, he remains open to direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in years.
In contrast, Putin will not be attending the funeral. This works out well for Meloni, who would face a dilemma if Putin set foot on Italian soil, as the Russian leader is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes.
