Rome Moment Goes Viral: 5'2 Meloni Looks Up, Way Up, to Greet Mozambique President

New Delhi: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni found herself in a lighter, unscripted moment last week while welcoming Mozambican President Daniel Chapo at the Italian government headquarters in Rome. 

As the two leaders stepped forward for the customary handshake, the striking difference in their height was hard to miss and even harder for cameras to ignore.

What exactly happened during the welcome?

Cameras caught Meloni looking up at President Chapo as she reached out to greet him. She flashed a brief, sheepish smile and appeared to mutter a remark under her breath, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. The moment lasted just seconds, but it was enough to set social media buzzing.

Standing side by side, the contrast was dramatic. Meloni is about 5 feet 2 inches tall. Chapo, at roughly 6 feet 8 inches, towered over her.

Ho ricevuto oggi a Palazzo Chigi il Presidente della Repubblica del Mozambico, Daniel Francisco Chapo.

In particolare il colloquio, nel ricordare il cinquantesimo anniversario dell’indipendenza mozambicana e dello stabilimento delle relazioni diplomatiche, ha confermato la… pic.twitter.com/hI8kH3pFfO

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) December 11, 2025

Why were photographers struggling for the perfect shot?

The height gap created a challenge even for seasoned photographers. Some reportedly had to crouch low or lie flat on the floor to fit both leaders into the same frame. Wide-angle shots became the order of the day as lenses struggled to balance protocol with practicality.

The visual mismatch quickly turned the formal meet-and-greet into a viral moment online.

Is Daniel Chapo used to this kind of attention?

President Chapo’s height has drawn attention before, especially when he appears alongside other world leaders. A known basketball enthusiast, Chapo often stands out in group photographs, sometimes quite literally.

At 48, he cuts an imposing figure, both physically and politically, as a relatively young leader on the global stage.

Did the viral moment distract from the real agenda?

Behind the smiles and camera flashes, the meeting was all business. Meloni and Chapo discussed energy partnerships, trade ties, and broader cooperation under Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa. The talks focused on strengthening economic and strategic links between Italy and Mozambique.

Officials stressed that the discussions were substantive and forward-looking, despite the lighter moment stealing headlines.

For Meloni, the Rome meeting offered a reminder that diplomacy often comes with unexpected human moments -- some of which, in the age of social media, quickly travel far beyond the meeting room.