U.S President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on Saturday during a short exchange on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral to meet at a later stage, von der Leyen's spokesperson said.

"In their brief exchange, President von der Leyen and President Trump agreed to meet," said a Commission spokesperson on Saturday afternoon, adding that a full discussion would take place at a later date and not in Rome. They declined to comment when asked whether a formal invitation to Brussels has been issued.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump have agreed to arrange a bilateral meeting following a brief conversation during the funeral ceremony for Pope Francis in Rome on 26 April.