The funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, Rome. Numerous world leaders have confirmed their attendance to pay their respects to the Argentine pontiff, who passed away yesterday, April 21, at the age of 88 due to a stroke.
Despite the delicate climate of political tensions, the gathering will include representatives of numerous European countries: Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen, as well as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. President Trump along with First Lady Melania is also expected to attend, as well as Argentine President Javier Milei.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner related to Fox News Digital that Prince William may represent the British royal family. Some world political leaders have chosen to attend privately, while others have been designated by their respective governments. For example, Russia will be represented by an official delegation, but Vladimir Putin will not attend personally. China has also expressed its condolences and will send an official representative.
Before his death, Pope Francis wanted to simplify the rituals planned for papal funerals, approving new rules in April 2024. The burial of his mortal remains will be performed at the Vatican according to a new, simpler and more somber ritual. In the past, traditional papal funerals involved three coffins: one made of cypress wood, one made of lead and one made of elm, arranged one inside the other. Afterwards, the body was buried under St. Peter’s Basilica. The faithful will be able to pay their respects to his remains in the basilica, where the body will be placed in a simple wooden coffin, lined with zinc and not raised on a platform.
In the current precarious political climate, the pontiff’s death could sharpen divisions within the Curia between conservatives and liberals. The conclave to choose his successor is expected to begin no sooner than 15, and no later than 20 days, after Pope Francis’ Bergoglio’s death.
