The Pope’s departure offers a rare diplomatic opportunity for world peace

Given the fragility of the current world landscape and the reluctance of the US administration in relation to multilateral diplomacy, any forum that brings together world leaders offers a rare opportunity to advance fundamental issues.

The Pope’s funeral in Rome next Saturday will provide many of these moments.

Expected participants include European higher figures, including the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Stmerer.

But while the first president of the United States to see a papal funeral since George W. Bush paid tribute to Pope John Paul II in 2005, all the attention will be directed to Donald Trump.

The shortest conversation with Trump outside this event can change the geopolitical dynamics for a long time.

Both allies and the rivals look for moments of contact behind the scene of this solemn occasion.

After all, Pope Francis was a man of peace, from daily calls to a Christian parish in Gaza to the constant defense of a high fire in Ukraine.

Is the final farewell offer to the world a last miracle: a step towards development?

Rates: 90 seconds of speech during the 90 -day truce?

The 90 -day Trump Trump truce on the “reciprocal” rate of 20% imposed on the products of the European Union is coming to an end.

The negotiators of the block, led by the Commissioner of Commerce Maroš šefčovič, have been in conversations with American counterparts. But all European proposals, including a of von der Leyen, of Zero Rates by ZeroThey seem to have been rejected in Washington so far.

Saturday’s funeral is a rare opportunity for Von der Leyen to call Trump directly during this truce.

“I have no updated information to give about possible bilateral meetings. Saturday’s visit has a different reason (…) I can’t exclude other possible meetings,” said a spokesman for the European Commission.

Will von der Leyen present to Trump a rapid and convincing argument, a justification of 90 seconds for the EU proposal, to persuade him to reduce tariffs, perhaps with a little help from the Pope’s spirit?

Ukraine: A call to peace

Technical discussions on Ukraine They are runningBut high -level conversations scheduled for London today seem to be losing weight, and many choose not to attend.

It is evident that progress requires more than diplomats: it is necessary to intervene to the leaders themselves (if it does not help the celestial).

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The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, decided not to see the funeral, although, in his honor, he called Pope Francis of “defender of humanism.”

On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will go to the funeral accompanied by his wife Olena, probably hoping to talk with Trump.

Zelenskyy expressed the desire to meet Trump in the Vatican. Can the memory of Pope Francis help overcome his divisions?

MERCOSUR: A unit demonstration

The leaders of the South America commercial block, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, confirmed their presence.

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It is expected to meet Von der Leyen again, after the end of the UE-Mercosul conversations, an event that previously caused strong criticisms of French president Emmanuel Macron.

However, Macron’s position in relation to this agreement seems to be softened Recently, and with Trump also in Rome, a demonstration of unity between the EU and South America could send a clear message to the United States, especially with respect to the threat of new tariffs.

Even if a formal meeting, a symbolic gesture, perhaps a grip between von der Leyen and Macron, together with Lula and Milei, could indicate a change towards a new global commercial alignment.

Conclave – Not the movie

A different geopolitical game is already underway: the race to choose the next Pope. Although outside the direct control of world leaders, the choice will have a lot of scope.

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Beyond ideology, whether a conservative or progressive papacy, the origin of the next pontiff can alter the global influence of the Church.

A Pacific dad or the Pope of Africa, for example, would send a powerful message in areas where the geopolitical weight of the church could increase dramatically.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who will preside over the funeral mass, is one of the main candidates.

You can take this moment to leave a strong impression on your classmates or, depending on your beliefs about who will make the decision in the Sistine Chapel in God.

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In fact, it should be taken into account that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger also presided over the fosters of John Paul II, becoming Pope Benedict XVI weeks later.