Starting Friday, global leaders began arriving in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Given today’s tense geopolitical climate, their presence at the Vatican is being viewed as a historic and symbolic event.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 this past Monday after suffering a stroke that led to cardiac arrest. He was beloved by many for his humility and his deep compassion for society’s marginalized.
The death of a pope marks a major turning point for the Catholic Church. Traditionally, a pope’s funeral and the subsequent selection of a new pontiff are highly ceremonial. However, Pope Francis had requested during his lifetime that his funeral be kept simple. His body will be placed in a plain wooden coffin and buried in an unmarked grave.
Still, about 170 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the service, including heads of state from numerous countries. As a result, this funeral is also shaping up to be a significant political gathering. Since not all of the leaders see eye to eye, some diplomatic tension is anticipated.
When Is the Pope Francis’ Funeral?
The funeral for Pope Francis will take place on April 26, starting at 10 a.m. Central European Time (8 a.m. GMT). The ceremony will be held at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
While popes are usually buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis personally chose the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place. Located not far from Rome’s Termini railway station, the church held deep personal significance for him.
Even during his final days as his health declined, Francis frequently visited Santa Maria Maggiore. It is one of the city’s major basilicas and was the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built in the 14th century.
Who Will Attend?
Several heads of state and royal family members have already confirmed their attendance. Some had warm personal relationships with Pope Francis, though not all agreed with his views.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
Donald Trump called Pope Francis a “great man” who “loved the world.” He ordered flags on U.S. federal buildings to be flown at half-staff after the pope’s death. However, their relationship was not always smooth.
Pope Francis had openly criticized the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. During Trump’s first term (2017–2021), the pope spoke out against the proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”
Trump responded by calling the pope’s remarks about his faith “disgraceful.” Yet, during a 2017 visit to the Vatican, the two met in person. Trump later described the meeting as “wonderful” and said the pope was “terrific.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
After the pope’s death, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his “deep sorrow” in a statement. He praised Francis’s leadership as “courageous during complex and challenging times for the world and the Church,” and said it was always rooted in “deep humility.”
Prince William of Wales
Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will represent the British royal family at the funeral.
King Charles also issued a statement honoring the pope’s compassion, saying, “His care for both people and the planet left a deep and lasting impression on countless lives.”
Earlier this April, Queen Camilla had joined the King on a visit to Rome and met Pope Francis in person.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska
Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, Pope Francis had consistently called for peace. Zelensky last met with the pope in October during one of their several encounters.
However, tensions surfaced when, in March 2024, the pope remarked, “When you realize you’re defeated, when the situation isn’t favorable, you must have the courage to pursue peace talks.” Ukraine’s government sharply criticized the statement.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva
Brazil is home to the largest Catholic population in the world—over 100 million people. On the day of the pope’s death, President Lula declared seven days of national mourning. He had met with the pope on multiple occasions.
In a statement, Lula said, “We shared ideals of peace, equality, and justice—values that were needed in the past, and will be just as vital in the future.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos
Roughly 80% of the Philippines identifies as Catholic. In 2015, Pope Francis visited Manila, where one of his outdoor masses drew millions.
President Marcos Jr. described the pope as a leader “guided not only by wisdom but by an open heart toward everyone.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella
Prime Minister Meloni met with Pope Francis multiple times. However, her government’s firm anti-immigration stance has drawn criticism. In contrast, Pope Francis urged Italy to adopt a more compassionate approach toward migrants, particularly in light of its declining birth rate.
Argentine President Javier Milei
The late pope was originally from Argentina and served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before becoming pope. His death prompted Argentina to declare a week of national mourning.
President Milei, a right-wing libertarian, has often held views starkly opposed to the pope’s. He once dismissed Francis as a “leftist.” Still, in February 2024, Milei visited the Vatican and met with him personally.
Other Notable Attendees Include:
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Polish President Andrzej Duda
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- Moldovan President Maia Sandu
- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
- Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin
- Croatian President Zoran Milanović
- Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs
- King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain
- Queen Mary of Denmark
- Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer
- Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov
From the Asia-Pacific region:
- Indian President Droupadi Murmu
- Bangladesh’s interim government advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus
- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
From Latin America:
- Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader
- Ecuador President Daniel Noboa
From Africa:
- DRC President Félix Tshisekedi
- Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra
- Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
- Cape Verde President José Maria Neves
Who Won’t Be There
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the funeral. Both face international warrants over alleged war crimes.
How Likely Is Diplomatic Tension?
Given the high-profile attendees, the potential for diplomatic unease is real. Former President Trump’s recent trade tariff policies and comments on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have further stirred global controversy.
This funeral also marks the first in-person encounter between Trump and Zelensky since their tense February meeting at the White House. At the time, Trump had criticized Zelensky for refusing to negotiate with Russia, and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Ukraine of lacking “gratitude” toward U.S. support.
This week, Trump again criticized Ukraine for refusing to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
However, seating at the funeral will follow alphabetical order, so Trump and Zelensky won’t be placed side by side.
Zelensky told reporters this week that he requested a private meeting with Trump during the trip, but it’s unclear whether the U.S. side has accepted the invitation.
Tensions may also rise between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who has strongly condemned Trump’s tariff policies, calling them “unnecessary.”
What Happened at the Last Papal Funeral?
Pope John Paul II’s funeral in April 2005 was marked by several awkward moments.
Serving from 1978 to 2005, Pope John Paul II’s death attracted diplomatic complexities. When then-President George W. Bush appeared on the screen, some in the crowd booed him due to the ongoing Iraq War.
He was seated next to leaders from Iran and Syria—Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—whom he deliberately ignored. Bush had previously labeled their nations part of the “Axis of Evil.”
Meanwhile, now-King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) committed a diplomatic misstep by shaking hands with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. The UK had accused Mugabe of human rights violations, particularly land seizures from white farmers.
Prince Charles later expressed regret, calling Mugabe’s policies “abhorrent.”
Another stir came when Iranian President Khatami and Israeli President Moshe Katsav shook hands—a rare and controversial gesture between adversarial nations. While some speculated it hinted at potential diplomatic progress, Khatami later denied the handshake ever happened, shutting down such hopes.
Tensions also escalated between China and the Vatican. Days before the funeral, China accused the Vatican of inviting Taiwanese leaders. In protest, China boycotted the funeral. Later, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian alleged that the Vatican intentionally excluded interpreters to limit his communication with other world leaders.
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