All eyes are on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as the funeral of Pope Francis draws world leaders to Rome, offering her a prime platform to cement her role as a pivotal figure in Western diplomacy, according to Euractiv.
With over 170 international delegations descending on the Eternal City for Saturday’s ceremonies, Meloni positioned herself at the heart of proceedings, balancing mourning with statesmanship. While the Vatican oversees rituals within its walls, Italy’s government manages the sprawling logistical and diplomatic efforts beyond St. Peter’s Square.
Though formal bilateral meetings have been dismissed by her government as “in poor taste,” the event inevitably opens avenues for informal dialogue. Even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s spokesperson hinted at potential “side discussions” among attendees.
For Meloni, a discreet exchange with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky or facilitating an encounter between US President Donald Trump and von der Leyen could bolster her aspiration to be seen as a mediator within transatlantic politics.
Strategic embrace of papal legacy
Meloni framed herself as an inheritor of Pope Francis‘ vision, vowing to pursue his “path of peace” and champion “a fairer society.” Yet the pledges starkly contrast with her government’s hardline migration policies, such as deals to build detention centres in Albania, and austerity-driven social reforms.
Critics argue her rhetoric is a calculated bid to soften her image on contentious issues. Lorenzo Castellani, a political analyst at Rome’s LUISS University, noted that Meloni “never had a particularly strong relationship with this Pope, largely because the right has never viewed Francis as its primary Catholic reference point, given his positions.”
However, the prime minister’s true focus appears fixed on the international stage. By positioning Italy as a conduit between Europe and the US, Meloni allegedly aims to transcend domestic criticism, using the funeral’s solemnity to cast her leadership as both compassionate and strategically vital.
