President Trump and other world leaders attending Pope Francis’ funeral

The funeral for Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on April 21, is expected to be a momentous event that will draw a global audience. Not only will the faithful from around the world travel to Rome to pay their respects, but also a significant number of world leaders and dignitaries will be in attendance.

It has been confirmed that around 130 delegations will be traveling to St. Peter’s Basilica for the funeral, including approximately 50 heads of state and at least 10 world leaders. Despite their past differences, US President Donald Trump will be attending the funeral with his wife Melania, who is a Roman Catholic. This gesture of respect highlights the significance of the occasion, even amidst previous disagreements between the Pope and the President.

While Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha are not expected to be present at the funeral, former President Joe Biden is reportedly planning to attend. Additionally, Prince William of the United Kingdom will represent his family at the funeral, as his father King Charles III did for the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2005.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has canceled prior commitments to attend the funeral, honoring the close relationship she shared with Pope Francis. Similarly, President Javier Milei of Argentina, the Pope’s native country, will be present to pay his respects despite their past disagreements.

In a show of solidarity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine will also be attending the funeral, acknowledging the Pope’s prayers for peace in his country. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will join the gathering, marking her first official event with President Trump since he took office.

While many world leaders will be in attendance, some notable figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be present. This highlights the complex relationships that Pope Francis navigated during his time as the leader of the Catholic Church.

Overall, the funeral of Pope Francis promises to be a significant and emotional event, bringing together leaders and individuals from around the world to honor the legacy of a beloved spiritual leader.