World Leaders Gather in Vatican to Say Good Bye Pope Francis!

Global leaders descend in Vatican on Saturday to take part in the funeral of Pope Francis and give him the final adieu as the world looks forward to live the legacy that the 88-year-old Argentinian pontiff leaves behind.  

Pope Francis passed away at his residence in Vatican at 7.35 am on Easter Monday to a peaceful death. His funeral starts at 10 am on Saturday in St Peter’s Square in Vatican.

VIPs who are attending the funeral?

Pope Francis’s funeral is bringing many geopolitical friends and foes at one platform. Pope Francis was known for his strong advocacy for justice and his standing for the poor, the exploited and the oppressed. His voice was liked by many at the same time not liked by leaders of some nations.

Among the global leaders who are attending the funeral of the Pope include United States President Donald Trump who is coming to Vatican. Trump and Pope Francis had met during the former’s Vatican visit in 2017. Trump recalled his meeting with the Pope with words like “really good’. Pope Francis, however, had questioned the recent mass deportation of immigrants by Trump administration.

Pontiffs are usually buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica, but Pope Francis has chosen to finally rest at Santa Maria Maggiore church. This place had been Pope Francis’s favourite and he used to frequent it, particularly after his health started falling. Santa Maria Maggiore church is dedicated to Virgin Mary and is a 14th century basilica of Rome.

Apart from Trump, other top leaders coming to attend the funeral include Pope’s native Argentina President Javier Milei, who is being counted as a special guest for the occasion.

Vatican City is a sovereign State surrounded all around by Italy. It is the world’s smallest State. Italy had recognised Vatican City’s sovereignty in 1929 and Pope is regarded as the Head of State of Vatican City. The Pope also is the Bishop of Rome, as well as the primate of the Catholic Bishops of Italy. In this way, Italy as a State also would be playing an important role in the funeral.

According to an information from Vatican, delegates of 130 nations from across the globe are attending the funeral function of Pope Francis, including 50 heads of States that include 10 monarchs as well. Monarchs include those of Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and others—who would be seated in the front.

William, Prince of Wales, is attending the funeral representing UK’s royal family. King Charles had recalled Pope Francis for his path-breaking works, saying “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many”.

Pope during his life-time had been an ardent advocate of environment preservation, inspiring men and women to care for Mother Earth and the Planet.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska too are attending the Pope’s funeral. Zelenski had more than once met Pope Francis in the Vatican. The Pope had even asked Zelenski to negotiate and end the war.

Other Heads of States

The list includes Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva—Brazil is predominantly a Catholic State, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and First Lady Lisa Marcos—Philippines also is predominantly a Catholic country, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov, India’s President Droupadi Murmu, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa to name a few.

Italy being the host nation in reality, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella would be there too. Italy has placed the Imperial City of Rome on tight security in view of the gathering of the top leaders of the world in Rome.

Leaders who will Not Attend the Funeral

The list includes Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While alive, Pope Francis had strong words for Israel, and even asked for international study of the ongoing deaths in Gaza from the point of view of genocide.

Russia is predominantly an Orthodox Christian country though people from faiths like Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism too practice their religions with freedom.

Another notable is Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will not be attending the funeral.

When Trump meets EU leaders at Pope’s Funeral!

In recent days, geopolitical relations between United States President Trump and EU leaders have significantly soured, and Trump would be noticeably in Europe. Leaders like French President Macron have often been found critical of the United States’ shift in age-old foreign policy under Trump’s leadership. When these leaders come face to face, awkward moments are expected, though not guaranteed. The U.S. tariff too has brought about a global upheaval; hence the Pope’s funeral occasions an impromptu-moments for the global leaders.

What happens after the Funeral of a Pope?

The passing on of a pope makes the highest seat of the Roman Catholic Church as falling vacant--Sedes Vacante Latin for "The Seat is Vacant." The Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gather in Vatican to elect a new Pope. The world will witness this event in the next few days.