Camilla Jessen
World leaders gather in Rome as the Vatican prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis at Saturday’s funeral.
World leaders and dignitaries are gathering in Rome as the Vatican prepares to hold the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.
The pontiff died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke.
The Vatican said 130 international delegations are expected to attend, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. This was reported by Euronews.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among those arriving on Friday. Trump is expected to land in Rome after the late pope’s coffin has been sealed. He is accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.
Other attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Hungarian President Viktor Orbán.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are not expected to attend. Both face outstanding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
Thousands Pay Tribute
More than 90,000 people visited St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday to pay their respects. The Vatican extended visiting hours overnight due to the large turnout.
The Vatican also announced that a group of poor and homeless people will be allowed to visit the coffin before Saturday’s funeral.
Pope Francis will be buried at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, near an icon of the Virgin Mary to which he often prayed.
Cardinals will not begin the conclave to elect the next pope before May 5. A total of 113 cardinals gathered in Rome on Thursday to discuss internal church matters, with additional meetings scheduled for Friday.
“We are getting ready, but we still have not entered into the more intense phase. We are in the organisational phase,” Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni said.