A host of global dignitaries including India’s President Droupadi Murmu, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky are set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Heads of state and royals began arriving in Rome on Friday, ahead of the funeral. Reflecting Pope Francis’s lifelong humility and connection to the poor, a group of underprivileged individuals will gather at a small basilica to greet his casket before the official service.
Among those arriving Friday are former U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. This marks the final day the Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica before his coffin is sealed.
The Vatican announced that 130 international delegations will be present, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs.
When Will the Cardinals Elect a New Pope?
The conclave to elect the next pope will not begin before May 5, allowing for nine days of public mourning. On Thursday, 113 cardinals met in Rome to begin preliminary discussions and are expected to reconvene Friday. “We’re still in the organisational phase,” said Cardinal Fernando Filoni of Italy.
Pope’s Burial
True to Pope Francis’s commitment to the marginalised, his coffin will be taken to St. Mary Major Basilica, where a group of poor and needy individuals will pay their respects. The Pope requested to be buried near an icon of the Madonna he deeply revered.
List of World Leaders Attending Pope Francis’s Funeral
Asia
- India: President Droupadi Murmu
- Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos
Americas
- Argentina: President Javier Milei
- Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja
- Honduras: President Xiomara Castro
- United States: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
Europe
- Leaders from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom—including royals, presidents, and prime ministers.
Middle East
- Israel: Yaron Sideman, Ambassador to the Holy See
Africa
- Cape Verde: President Jose Maria Neves
- Central African Republic: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra
United Nations
- UN Secretary-General: António Guterres
(With AP Inputs)