Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, set for Saturday, 26 April, an advisor to the Ukrainian president said.
The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia.
Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters on Tuesday that the Ukrainian leader would attend the funeral along with his wife Olena Zelenska.
Zelensky on Monday had paid tribute to Pope Francis, hailing him as someone who “prayed for peace in Ukraine.”
In 2024, two years after Russia invaded, the pontiff angered many in Ukraine by suggesting Kyiv should have “the courage of the white flag” and open negotiations with Russia.
Due to visit South Africa
Zelensky was due in South Africa on a state visit, commencing on Thursday, 24 April.
However, Zelensky may be well advised not to touch down on South African shores after the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK party) confirmed that it is planning a protest, as reported by The South African website.
Why Zelensky would even wish to fly all the way from Ukraine to Johannesburg is puzzling.
Why Cyril Ramaphosa would even invite Zelensky to Mzansi when they are part of BRICS – which includes Russia who are currently at war with Ukraine – is even more baffling.
Strange times we live in …
Should Volodymyr Zelensky just skip his trip to South Africa and rather attend Pope Francis’s funeral?
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