World leaders started to arrive in Rome on Friday ahead of Pope Francis’s burial this weekend. Although this ceremony is expected to be more subdued than typical, it is still poised to be a significant occasion.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday due to heart failure following a stroke at 88 years old. He was admired for his humility and his compassion towards marginalized communities.
The death of a pope signifies a major change for the Catholic Church, as the burial rites and the selection of a new pope generally involve much ceremony. However, the late Pope Francis had requested a more modest funeral: his body will rest in a simple wooden coffin and will be laid to rest in an unmarked grave.
Nonetheless, the funeral is set to be a remarkable political gathering, featuring 170 foreign dignitaries, including numerous heads of state. Since not all attendees share the same views, some diplomatic tension may arise.
Here’s what we know about the attendees.
What time is the pope’s funeral?
The ceremony is scheduled to start at 10am CET (08:00 GMT) on Saturday, April 26, at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Traditionally, popes are buried under St Peter’s Basilica, but Pope Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore church, a short distance from Termini, as his final resting place.
This church was particularly significant to him during his life, and he visited it frequently, especially as his health declined. Santa Maria Maggiore is one of Rome’s key basilicas and was the first to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary back in the 14th century.
Who is going to the pope’s funeral?
A number of heads of state and royals have confirmed their presence in Rome for the funeral on Saturday. While some have enjoyed cordial relations with the pope, others have had differing opinions.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
Trump referred to the late pope as a “very good man” who “loved the world” and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.
However, their relationship was not always smooth.
Pope Francis criticized the Trump administration’s policies regarding immigration. During Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, the pope condemned the construction of the US-Mexico border wall, asserting that someone who builds walls instead of bridges was “not Christian.”
Trump retorted by calling the pope’s doubts about his faith “disgraceful.”
They met in 2017 when Trump visited the Vatican, where he described their meeting as “fantastic.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Starmer expressed his deep sadness upon hearing of the pope’s death, praising the pope’s courageous leadership during difficult times, always grounded in humility.
William, Prince of Wales
Prince William is set to represent the UK royal family in Rome, as confirmed by Kensington Palace.
King Charles remarked on Pope Francis’s legacy of compassion, noting his impactful work concerning both humanity and the environment. Earlier in April, the King and Queen Camilla visited the pope during a trip to Italy.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska
The pope called for peace in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict following Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskyy met the pontiff last October at the Vatican, marking their final meeting among several.
However, tensions arose when the pope suggested in March 2024: “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.” This statement faced strong backlash from Ukraine.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva
With over 100 million Catholics, Brazil has the largest Catholic community globally.
In response to the pope’s death, President Lula declared a week of mourning. He had met with the pope several times.
In a statement, Lula reflected on their shared ideals of peace, equality, and justice—principles always needed in the world.
Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and First Lady Lisa Marcos
The Philippines also boasts a significant Catholic population, with nearly 80% identifying as Catholic.
President Marcos Jr described Pope Francis as a leader who combined wisdom with an open heart for all.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella
Having met the pope several times, Meloni’s government has been criticized for policies perceived as anti-immigrant, while Pope Francis has urged Italy to welcome migrants, referencing the nation’s declining birth rate.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei
As the late pope hailed from Argentina and served as the archbishop of Buenos Aires before becoming pope, Argentina declared a week of mourning after his passing.
Milei, whose right-wing stance contrasts with the pope’s left-leaning views, visited Pope Francis in February 2024, and has previously labeled him a “leftist.”
Additional notable attendees include:
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Europe
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Polish President Andrzej Duda
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Asia Pacific
- President Droupadi Murmu of India
- Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand
Latin America
- President Lui Abinader of the Dominican Republic
- President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador
Africa
- President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- President Faustin-Archange Touadera of Central African Republic
- President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon
- President Jose Maria Neves of Cape Verde
Who will NOT be present?
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend. Both are facing international arrest warrants due to accusations of war crimes.
Should we expect diplomatic awkwardness?
Yes, the meeting may feature some uncomfortable interactions. Recent trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump and his remarks regarding the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have added to the geopolitical tension.
This will be the first in-person meeting between Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy since their fraught encounter at the White House in February. During that meeting, Trump admonished Zelenskyy for failing to negotiate with Russia, while his Vice President JD Vance criticized him for a supposed lack of gratitude towards the US. Recently, Trump rebuked Ukraine again for not recognizing Russia’s control over Crimea.
The seating arrangement in alphabetical order will ensure they will not sit beside each other, at least.
Zelenskyy mentioned earlier this week that he had requested a meeting with Trump during the funeral events, but it’s still uncertain whether the US will agree to this.
Tensions may also arise between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who has publicly denounced Trump’s trade tariffs as “unnecessary.”
What transpired during the last Pope’s burial?
Pope John Paul II’s funeral in April 2005 is still recalled for its awkward moments and the gathering of countries with complicated relationships. He served as pope from 1978 to 2005.
When former US President George Bush’s image appeared on screens, the crowd responded with jeers due to his involvement in the ongoing Iraq war. Bush sat next to leaders such as Iran’s President Mohammad Khatami and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad but notably ignored them, even though he had previously labeled those nations as an “axis of evil.”
At that time, then-Prince of Wales King Charles made headlines by shaking hands with Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, a controversial move given the fraught relations between their nations. The UK had accused Zimbabwe of human rights abuses regarding land redistribution. Following the interaction, Prince Charles expressed regret for the handshake and called Zimbabwe’s policies “abhorrent.”
Another unexpected handshake occurred between historical rivals: Iran’s Khatami and Israeli President Moshe Katsav. This gesture sparked speculation about a potential thaw in relations, but Khatami later denied it ever took place.
The funeral also exacerbated tensions between China and Taiwan. Before the event, China criticized the Vatican for inviting Taiwan and opted to boycott. Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian later claimed that the Vatican had ignored him by not providing translators, thereby hindering his opportunities to engage with other leaders.
