Pope Francis, the beloved pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21. His funeral will take place today, April 26, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, drawing numerous world leaders to pay their respects. Here’s a look at who will attend and who won’t.
Key Attendees at the Funeral
United States President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, will be attending the funeral. Trump announced on Truth Social, “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
United Kingdom Prince William will attend on behalf of the Royal Family. Kensington Palace confirmed his attendance, following a previous visit to Rome where the King and Queen Camilla met the Pope earlier this month. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also confirmed his participation.
European Union Commission EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be at the funeral. She paid tribute to the Pope, saying, “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”
Indian President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Rome on Friday (April 25, 2025) to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
France French President Emmanuel Macron will attend, having cut short a visit to the Indian Ocean region to do so. He remarked, “We will attend the pope’s funeral as we should.”
Argentina Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, will represent the Pope’s home country at the funeral, acknowledging the Pope’s complex political relationship with his homeland.
Brazil Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Janja will be present, with Lula praising the Pope for his critiques of economic systems that perpetuate injustice. Brazil has also declared a seven-day mourning period in honor of Pope Francis.
Other Leaders Attending
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Ireland: Prime Minister Micheal Martin
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Spain: King Felipe and Queen Letizia
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Belgium: King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and Prime Minister Bart De Wever
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East Timor: President Jose Ramos-Horta
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Germany: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz
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Hungary: President Tamas Sulyok
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Italy: President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
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Latvia: President Edgars Rinkevics
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Lithuania: President Gitanas Nauseda
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Poland: President Ilie Bolojan
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Switzerland: President Karin Keller-Sutter
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Czech Republic: Prime Minister Petr Fiala
Leaders Who Won’t Attend
While most global leaders will attend, a few notable figures have opted out.
Russia President Vladimir Putin will not be present, citing an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court as a limiting factor on his international travel. The Kremlin confirmed he will not attend but sent a message of respect to Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also confirmed he will not be attending the funeral.
Other Notable Absentees
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Taiwan: President Lai Ching-te
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Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney
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Chile: President Gabriel Boric
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The Netherlands: King Willem-Alexander
