Several global leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, have confirmed they will travel to Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday.
The ceremony is expected to draw large crowds to St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
Trump announced via social media that he and his wife, Melania, will attend. “We look forward to being there,” he wrote, also paying tribute: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”
Argentine President Javier Milei, representing the pope’s homeland, will also attend. Although Francis had a complex relationship with Argentine politics, Milei praised his “goodness and wisdom.”
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will be present, with Felipe describing the late pontiff as “an enormous ethical beacon of our world, our time.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who cut short a visit to France’s overseas territories following the pope’s death, confirmed his attendance, saying: “We will attend the pope’s funeral as we should.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will represent Germany. However, incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose conservative party won February’s election, will not attend. Merz expressed “great sorrow” at the pope’s passing.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to attend, though Buckingham Palace has not confirmed whether King Charles III will accompany him.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, will also be there. Zelensky noted that Pope Francis “prayed for peace in Ukraine.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend. The Kremlin confirmed his absence, citing the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against him over the invasion of Ukraine.
Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever, along with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde—who met the pope during his September 2024 visit to Belgium—will attend.
Polish President Andrzej Duda declared Saturday a national day of mourning; his wife will be present at the funeral.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro will lead their country’s delegation, while Hungary’s President Tamas Sulyok has also confirmed attendance.
Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker and Slovenia’s President Natasa Pirc Musar will attend alongside Prime Minister Robert Golob.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will represent the European Union. Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta confirmed von der Leyen’s participation and noted she may also hold bilateral meetings during her visit.
Pope Francis passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday at the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican.
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