Trump, Julian Assange and 250,000 others. Who was at Pope Francis’ funeral?

CNN - Apr 26th, 2025
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The funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square drew over 250,000 mourners, including 55 heads of state, marking a significant moment for the Catholic community and international diplomacy. Notably, a meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky occurred minutes before the service began, described by officials as 'productive.' The discussion, which lasted around 15 minutes, focused on potential peace and security measures, highlighting the ongoing tensions in Europe. Other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were present, underscoring the event's diplomatic significance.

The context of this meeting is critical, as it was the first encounter between Trump and Zelensky since a contentious Oval Office meeting earlier in the year. Held in the solemn setting of St. Peter’s Basilica, the discussion symbolized a potential turning point in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with Zelensky emphasizing the need for a 'full and unconditional ceasefire.' The presence of numerous global leaders, including royals and heads of international organizations, such as the WHO and UN, further emphasized the geopolitical importance of the gathering. This convergence of dignitaries at a significant religious event indicates the complex interplay between diplomacy and international relations during times of global mourning.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article effectively covers a significant global event, providing readers with insights into the funeral of Pope Francis and the diplomatic interactions that occurred. It scores well in timeliness and public interest due to the event's immediate relevance and global impact. However, the story's accuracy and source quality are somewhat compromised by the lack of direct citations and transparency regarding information sources. While the article is clear and readable, it could benefit from more balanced coverage of all attendees and greater transparency in its reporting methodology. Overall, it serves as an informative piece but leaves some questions unanswered, particularly regarding the specifics of diplomatic discussions and the presence of certain individuals like Julian Assange.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that align with known events, such as the attendance at Pope Francis' funeral and the presence of world leaders. The claim that over 250,000 people attended is plausible, given the Vatican's capacity and previous events. However, the story's assertion about a meeting between Trump and Zelensky requires further verification, as details of their discussion are not fully disclosed, and such high-profile meetings are often subject to official statements. The mention of Julian Assange attending the event is another claim needing verification, as it is unusual and not widely reported elsewhere. Overall, while the story contains verifiable elements, some claims lack sufficient evidence or corroboration from other sources.

6
Balance

The article provides a broad overview of the event, mentioning various world leaders and dignitaries, which suggests an attempt at balanced reporting. However, the narrative appears to focus more on the interactions involving Trump, potentially overshadowing other significant attendees and discussions. This focus might give an impression of bias towards the actions and influence of the United States in the context of international diplomacy. While the article does mention leaders from other continents, such as South America, the emphasis remains on Western political figures, which could have been more evenly distributed to reflect a truly global perspective.

8
Clarity

The article is generally well-structured and clear, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main events of the funeral. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience. The narrative effectively conveys the significance of the event and the interactions between world leaders. However, the inclusion of certain details, such as seating arrangements and specific interactions, while interesting, could be streamlined to maintain focus on the most critical aspects of the story.

5
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite its sources, which affects the perceived credibility. While it references statements from the White House and Ukrainian presidency, these are not directly quoted or linked to specific documents or press releases. The lack of direct attribution to credible sources or eyewitness accounts diminishes the authority of the claims made. For an event of this magnitude, one would expect references to official Vatican announcements or statements from involved parties, which are notably absent.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding its sources and the methodology used to gather the information presented. There is no clear explanation of how the details were obtained or whether any potential conflicts of interest might influence the reporting. The absence of such disclosures makes it difficult for readers to assess the impartiality and reliability of the information. Greater transparency would involve citing specific sources, describing the process of information collection, and acknowledging any limitations or biases in the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/where-trump-world-leaders-seated-pope-francis-funeral/
  2. https://qresear.ch/?q=russia
  3. https://qresear.ch/?q=Obama