Vatican City (Europe Brief News): The funeral of Pope Francis has started at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, where sizable crowds of mourners have gathered. A delegation of at least 130 countries and international organizations includes 12 reigning monarchs, 14 leaders of government and 55 leaders of state who are present for the funeral service.
The ceremony for Pope Francis‘ funeral started inside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The Vatican media estimates that people numbering in the tens of thousands will come to St. Peter’s Square for Francis’ funeral. More than 4,000 journalists have asked the Holy See for credentials to cover the event
The police sources told sky news that with 200,000 people expected to attend the funeral, security has been ramped up at the Vatican in preparation. There will be 4,000 police officers overseeing the security operation today.
In addition to the 200,000 anticipated at the funeral, it is estimated that about one million individuals will attempt to see the procession in Rome.
Pope Francis’ funeral can be seen with live streaming, as coverage is accessible on the Vatican News YouTube channel and prominent global news networks.
Who is attending the funeral of Pope Franics?
European leaders from across nations joined forces at the funeral including European President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen together with European Council President António Costa will participate in the Rome funeral ceremonies.
The other leaders who attend the funeral of Pope Francis from Europe:
- Polish President Andrzej Duda
- Moldova’s President Maia Sandu
- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
- Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin
- Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic
- Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics
- Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia
- Denmark’s Queen Mary
- Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker
- Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov
United States president Donald Trump is attending the funeral with his wife, the first lady Melania Trump.
Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will represent the UK’s royal family in Rome. He will attend the funeral on behalf of King Charles, Kensington Palace said. Other royal guests including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain are also present at the funeral.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva and the president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr along with First Lady Lisa Marcos also attend Pope Francis’ funeral in rome.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella are in Rome. while the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, will not attend but will be represented by the country’s interior minister, Rosa Icela Rodríguez and Russia will be represented by its culture minister, Olga Lyubimova.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei will also attend the funeral. Others expected to attend include the UN secretary general, António Guterres, Andrzej Duda, the president of Poland; Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and its prime minister, Luís Montenegro.
From Asia Pacific the leaders who are there to attend the funeral are:
- India’s President Droupadi Murmu
- Bangladesh’s Interim leader Muhammad Yunus
- New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
Latin America the leaders who are attending the funeral are:
- Dominican Republic President Lui Abinader
- Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa
Africa the leaders who are there to attend the funeral are:
- Central African Republic’s President Faustin-Archange Touadera
- Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
- President Felix Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Cape Verde’s President Jose Maria Neves
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 due to heart failure following a stroke, was beloved for what many perceived as his humility and compassion towards marginalized communities.
