World leaders set to attend Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday
A global array of dignitaries and leaders will descend upon Rome on Saturday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 following a stroke. The funeral will be held in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m., with public viewing of his body set to begin Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica.
As the first Latin American pope, Francis was admired worldwide for his humility and advocacy for the poor, though his outspoken critiques of capitalism and climate inaction stirred controversy.
U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania, will attend, as will Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and UN Secretary General António Guterres. India and Italy have declared national mourning, with Italy observing five days.
European leaders confirmed to attend include EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will also be present, while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will not attend.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska will be among the mourners, with Zelensky expressing a wish to meet Trump during the ceremony.
Royal and state delegations from Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Monaco, the Baltic states, and several Eastern European countries are also expected to participate in what will be one of the most significant global gatherings of leaders in recent memory.
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