The Vatican has become the fulcrum of an international pilgrimage that involves heads of state, monarchs, representatives of the institutions and faithful from all over the world.
The funeral of Pope Francisscheduled for Saturday 26 April 2025 at 10 on the churchyard of the Basilica of San Pietro, he promises to be one of the most solemn and participatory moments in the recent history of the Church.
A few days after the disappearance of the pontiff, the Vatican became the fulcrum of an international pilgrimage that involves heads of state, monarchs, representatives of the institutions and faithful from all over the world. A last farewell that goes beyond the religious rite, embracing the universal meaning of the spiritual, cultural and political legacy left by Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
The European royalty and not only traveling to Rome
The heads of state present at the funeral
Among the first leaders to have confirmed his presence, there is the French president Emmanuel Macronwho interrupted his official visit to the island of the meeting to publicly declare the intention of flying to Rome. “We will be present at the Pope’s funeral, as it is right to be,” he said in a press conference.
Also Donald Trumpformer president of the United States, announced his participation together with his wife Melania, with a short post. From Argentina – the Christmas homeland of Pope Francis, where seven days of national mourning will be held – the president is expected Javier Mileiwhile from Ukraine the president Volodymyr Zelensky He made it known that it will be present “to pay homage to a man of faith who has always sought peace even in the darkest times”.
Italy will be represented by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and by the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. From the European Union, however, the President of the Commission will arrive Ursula von der leyenwho in an official note recalled “the moral strength and the human vision of the pontiff, capable of building bridges in times of greater geopolitical tension”. Together with her, the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
Also present the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvatogether with his wife Janja, as well as the German president Frank Walter Steinmeier Together with the delegation led by the Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Also the British premier Keir Starmer will participate in the Pope’s funeral, as well as the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousaaccompanied by the Prime Minister Luís Montenegrothe President of Parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Brancoand the Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel.
Switzerland will be represented by the President Karin Keller-Sutterwhile Latvia, Lithuania and Romania will send their respective presidents and institutional representatives. Also José Ramos-Hortapresident of Timor Est, will reach the Vatican, accompanied by the Foreign Minister.
The delegations of Russia and China
From Moscow, the Kremlin has announced that the president Vladimir Putin It will not participate personally, but an official delegation will be sent to represent the Russian Federation. The Chinese government, however, while maintaining a prudent line, expressed deep condolences for the disappearance of the pontiff, underlining the importance of continuing the open dialogue with the Holy See.
