Online Reporter
The Vatican broke protocol to move Volodymyr Zelensky to the front row of Pope Francis’ funeral, 11 seats along from Donald Trump.
Leaders including the Ukranian and American premiers, Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron were scattered across a seating arrangement described as a ‘master plan’ in stage-managing ‘big egos’.
And while there had been speculation that Trump would be in the third row — which he would have likely seen as a snub — he found himself front and centre for the service.
However, an exception seems to have been made for Zelensky to ensure he was given a seat at the head of the pack — as his place should have been further back.
The Vatican did not deny that protocol had been overturned, with spokesperson Matteo Bruni telling The Telegraph: ‘I believe they filled a vacant place.’
It is not known who missed out on the solemn day, but there was speculation it could have been the Dutch royal family, who were spotted celebrating in their finery among their people yesterday as the Netherlands marked King’s Day.
Alongside Trump and First Lady Melania, other front-row dignitaries include President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky – who made a last-minute trip to be there – and Argentina’s Javier Milei, given the top spot.
Milei found himself closest to the Pope’s humble wooden casket because Francis is of Argentine birth, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in December 1936.
Next came Italy, as the Pope is also the bishop of Rome. Italian president Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura occupied the seats next to the Argentine leader. Immediately behind him sat Georgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Italian president Mattarella, meanwhile, were the leaders of countries such as Albania and Angola.
Prince William, on the other hand, found himself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany two rows behind Javier Milei and his sister Karina Milei, Argentina’s General Secretary of the Presidency.
William attended on behalf of his father of King Charles III, the United Kingdom’s head of state.
The idea that the UK and other countries have been snubbed, or sent further down the pecking order, however, doesn’t quite ring true — as Vatican planners have tried to wield diplomacy in determining the pecking order.
The Vatican seating plan for dignitaries – who are sitting directly across from senior clergy — prioritises reigning monarchs and heads of state over heads of Government: presidents, kings and queens come before prime ministers.
But even then, there is an order beyond priority. Despite designating Latin and Italian as its official languages, the Vatican has arranged its seating plan in French alphabetical order.
This was chosen as, thanks to France’s historical power across the continent, it is still considered the language of European diplomacy.
So the United States becomes les États-Unis; Germany becomes Allemagne, pushing it towards the front of the queue; and the United Kingdom is shoved further back under Royaume-Uni.
This explains why Trump found himself front and centre among around 50 heads of state, and why heads of governments – like Sir Keir – found themselves further back in what may in other circumstances be considered the ‘cheap seats’.
Next to Milei, Joan-Enric Vives i Sicilia, a Catholic prelate and co-Prince of the tiny landlocked nation of Andorra, is standing shoulder to shoulder with Bajram Begaj, the president of Albania, and João Lourenço, president of Angola.
What it does not explain, however, is why President Zelensky found himself in the front row despite Ukraine remaining the same in French.
He and his wife were sandwiched somewhere between France and Ireland in what appeared to be a flouting of the rules.
Asked for comment by The Telegraph, the Vatican did not deny that this was the case.
Spokesperson Matteo Bruni said: ‘I believe they filled a vacant place.’ — Daily Mail.
