Global Dignitaries to Attend Pope Francis' Funeral in Rome

Vatican City, April 22, 2025: The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. The funeral service is expected to draw large crowds, with people from across the globe in attendance.

A significant number of international dignitaries will be present for the funeral. According to a Reuters news report published on April 22, the following political leaders have confirmed their attendance at the funeral:

• Argentina: President Javier Milei (Pope Francis’ native country)
• Belgium: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
• Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva
• France: President Emmanuel Macron
• Germany: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz
• Italy: President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
• Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• United States: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
• United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer
• Switzerland: President Karin Keller-Sutter
• Hungary: President Tamas Sulyok
• Latvia: President Edgars Rinkēvičs
• Lithuania: President Gitanas Nausėda
• Poland: President Andrzej Duda
• Romania: Interim President Ilie Bolojan
• European Union:

Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) 

Antonio Costa (President of the European Council) 

Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament)

• East Timor: 

President Jose Ramos-Horta 

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Freitas

From India, although specific dignitaries have not been named yet, the government has declared three days of state mourning starting Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to honour Pope Francis—a rare gesture for a foreign religious leader.

Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, fulfilling his personal wish to rest near the icon of the Virgin Mary, breaking with the tradition of papal burials in St. Peter's Basilica. 

By Catholic Connect Reporter