World leaders are gathering in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, with a massive crowd expected to converge on St. Peter’s Square. The funeral is set to be a significant event, drawing dignitaries from across the globe.
Leaders from the Americas
The event will include notable figures from the Americas. Former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania are likely to attend. Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, the Pope’s home country, will also be there. He has praised the Pope’s intelligence despite their complex relationship. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his wife will join as well. Lula has previously praised the Pope for criticizing economic models that cause injustice.
European Dignitaries
European leaders are also expected to attend in large numbers. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, will be in Rome. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend, and Prince William will represent King Charles III.
Other Notable Attendees
Other notable leaders attending the funeral include:
- Irish President Michael Higgins and his wife, along with Prime Minister Simon Harris
- Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia
- French President Emmanuel Macron, who cut short his visit to the Indian Ocean region
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska
- Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, King Philippe, and Queen Mathilde
Some leaders will not be able to attend, however. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under international arrest warrant, will not be there. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, who share Argentine nationality with the Pope, will also be absent due to the King’s birthday celebrations. Instead, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp will represent the Netherlands.
Global Representation
The funeral will be attended by leaders from various countries, including:
- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro
- Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok
- Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer
- Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob
- The presidents of the Baltic states: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, and Estonian President Alar Karis
The event is expected to be a significant gathering of world leaders, showcasing respect for the late Pope. It was reported by Channel News Asia.