Heads of state and dignitaries are gathering in Rome in preparation for the funeral of Pope Francis, set to take place on Saturday. The Vatican has confirmed that 130 delegations will be in attendance, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Among the notable figures arriving on Friday are US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Trump is expected to arrive following the sealing of Pope Francis’ coffin.
Among the confirmed attendees are French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Hungarian President Viktor Orbán. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be present, as both face outstanding warrants from the International Criminal Court.
On Thursday, more than 90,000 individuals visited the basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. Due to the overwhelming number of visitors, the Vatican extended the basilica’s opening hours overnight. In a gesture of compassion, a group of poor and homeless individuals will have the opportunity to meet the pope’s coffin before the funeral on Saturday. Pope Francis’ final resting place is being prepared within the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, near an icon of the Virgin Mary that he frequently prayed before.
The conclave to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church will not commence until at least May 5, as eligible cardinals continue to arrive in Rome. A total of 113 cardinals convened on Thursday morning to discuss church matters and plan to meet again on Friday before taking a break over the weekend. Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni indicated that the preparatory phase is underway, although the more intense phase of the conclave process has yet to begin.
