Giorgia Meloni faces awkward weekend at funeral of pope whose values she opposed

Despite their contrasting views Francis and Meloni reportedly had a genuine friendship, often speaking in Spanish. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters

It is an awkward weekend for Giorgia Meloni. The Italian leader will host a gathering of world leaders to say goodbye to a much-revered pope whose public views – from the treatment of people fleeing war to the climate crisis – were diametrically opposed to hers.

While Pope Francis was a staunch advocate for asylum seekers, and blessed the vessels that saved refugees at sea, Meloni once said Italy should “repatriate migrants back to their countries and then sink the boats that rescued them”.