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Dozens of heads of state – some of whom had better relations with the pope than others – will be in attendance.
World leaders began arriving in Rome on Friday before Pope Francis’s weekend burial, a ceremony that, although more low-key than usual, is still set to be a historic event.
Pope Francis, who died on Monday from heart failure following a stroke at the age of 88, was widely popular for what many saw as his humility and compassion for marginalised people.
The passing of a pope represents a momentous shift for the Catholic Church, and burial rites and the eventual selection of a new papal leader are all usually elaborate affairs. However, the late Pope Francis had asked for a simpler funeral: His body will be buried in a simple coffin made of wood and lowered into an unmarked tomb.
Still, the funeral roll call, which features 170 foreign dignitaries, including dozens of heads of state, will make the event an extraordinary political gathering. Since not all the attendees see eye to eye, there’s also likely to be a dash of diplomatic awkwardness.
Here’s what we know about who will be attending.
What time is the pope’s funeral?
The ceremony will begin at 10am CET (08:00 GMT) on Saturday, April 26. It will be held at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Popes are usually buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica, but Santa Maria Maggiore church, a short walk from the city’s Termini central train station, is the pope’s choice as his final resting place.
During his lifetime, the church was Pope Francis’s favourite, and he visited often in his final days as his health weakened. Santa Maria Maggiore is one of Rome’s major basilicas and the first to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary back in the 14th century.
Who is going to the pope’s funeral?
Several heads of state and royals have confirmed their attendance in Rome for the funeral on Saturday. Some of them have had pleasant interactions with the pope during his lifetime, but he did not always agree with others.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
Trump said the late pope was a “very good man” who “loved the world”. The United States president ordered that flags be flown at half-mast.
However, the two men did not always get on so well.
Pope Francis has criticised the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. During Trump’s first presidency from 2017 to 2021, the pope also spoke against the US-Mexico border wall, saying a person who builds walls instead of bridges was “not Christian”.
Trump snapped back at the time, saying the pope’s questioning of his faith was “disgraceful”.
The two met in 2017 when Trump visited the Vatican. He said the pope was “really good” and that they’d had a “fantastic” meeting.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
In a statement following the pope’s death, Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the news. “His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility,” he said.
William, Prince of Wales
Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will represent the UK’s royal family in Rome.
In a statement, King Charles said Pope Francis would be remembered for his compassion. “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many,” he said.
Earlier in April, the King and Queen Camilla visited the pope while on a trip to Italy.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska
The pope called for peace in Ukraine amid the ongoing war following Russia’s invasion.
Last October, Zelenskyy met the pontiff in the Vatican – the last of several meetings between the two.
But there was also tension: In March 2024, the pope said of the Ukraine war: “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.”
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva
Brazil is home to the largest Catholic population in the world, with more than 100 million believers.
President Lula declared a seven-day mourning period to mark Pope Francis’s death on Monday. He had met him several times.
In a statement, Lula said: “We were able to share our ideals of peace, equality, and justice – ideals that the world has always needed, and will always need.”
Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and First Lady Lisa Marcos
The Philippines is another major Catholic country. Nearly 80 percent of the population identify as Catholic.
In 2015, the pope visited the capital, Manila, drawing millions to an outdoor mass there.
In a statement, President Marcos Jr described Pope Francis as a man who led “not only with wisdom but a heart open to all”.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella
Meloni met the pope several times. But while her government has often pushed policies that many see as anti-migrant, Pope Francis called for an embrace of migrants in Italy, citing the country’s low birthrate.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei
The late pope was Argentinian and was archbishop of Buenos Aires before his ascension to papal leadership. Argentina declared a week of mourning following his death.
Milei, whose right-wing policies differ sharply from the pope’s more left-leaning tendencies, visited him at the Vatican in February 2024. In the past, Milei called the pope a “leftist”.
