The Vatican is set to host a solemn and historic farewell as more than 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs prepare to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26.
The funeral, to be held at St. Peter’s Square, has drawn at least 130 foreign delegations from around the world, underlining the global impact and legacy of the late Pontiff.
Since Wednesday, Pope Francis’ coffin has been lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of mourners—including ordinary faithful and foreign dignitaries have lined up to pay their respects. As of Thursday, more than 61,000 people had viewed the coffin, with crowds so large that some were turned away.
The Vatican has announced that Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Rite of Sealing the Coffin on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 PM. This private ritual, to be witnessed by cardinals and Vatican officials, will mark the closure of the public viewing ahead of Saturday’s official funeral mass.
The funeral mass, scheduled for 10:00 AM local time, will also signal the beginning of the Novemdiales, a nine-day period of mourning and liturgical prayers for the repose of the soul of the Pope, in keeping with ancient Catholic tradition.
Among the high-profile figures confirmed to attend are U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Monarchs including Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Prince William of the United Kingdom are also expected to be present. Other dignitaries include UN Secretary-General António Guterres, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The presence of such a vast array of world leaders highlights the global respect Pope Francis commanded—not only as the head of the Catholic Church but also as a moral authority and advocate for peace, climate action, and social justice.
In preparation for the event, security around the Vatican has been significantly heightened. Italian airspace has been restricted, electromagnetic devices have been deployed to block drones, and thousands of police and security personnel have been mobilized to ensure safety.
Following the funeral mass, Pope Francis will be transported to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, where he will be laid to rest in accordance with his wishes.
Pope Francis, known for his humility, compassion, and progressive voice in global affairs, leaves behind a lasting legacy of bridging divides, championing the marginalized, and reshaping the modern papacy. His passing has united people of all faiths and nations in a shared moment of reflection and tribute.
As the world gathers to say goodbye, Saturday’s funeral is expected to be one of the most watched religious events of the decade an extraordinary farewell to a Pope who redefined what it meant to lead in faith.
