Between Grief and Geopolitics: Global Diplomacy at Pope Francis's Funeral - Special Episode 19

The funeral of Pope Francis in April 2025 served as a significant global gathering, uniting tens of thousands of mourners with a remarkable convergence of world leaders, transforming Vatican City into a hub for international diplomacy.This unique event, drawing parallels with Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005, saw numerous heads of state, government officials, and monarchs in attendance, leading to various diplomatic exchanges, both formal and informal, such as greetings involving Taiwan's representative and the late arrivals of several key leaders.This convergence underscored the global influence of the Papacy and provided a snapshot of the geopolitical landscape in 2025, where even fleeting interactions carried symbolic weight.