Today, 26 April, the Vatican is holding a solemn funeral ceremony for Pope Francis, who died on Monday, the second day of Easter, at the age of 88 as a result of a stroke and heart attack. The funeral takes place in St Peter’s Square under the leadership of the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re.
The farewell to the Pope brought together political leaders, religious leaders and representatives of royal families from around the world. Among the attendees were US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska, and acting Romanian President Ilies Bolozhan, accompanied by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Foreign Minister Emil Hurezianu.
Former US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, have already arrived at the Vatican, The New York Times reports.
Who else came to the funeral of Pope Francis:
- President of Argentina Javier Milei
- King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Jana Lula da Silva
- President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
- President of the European Council Antonio Costa
- President of the European Parliament Roberta Mecola
- President of East Timor Jose Ramos-Horta and Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- President of Hungary Tamás Szuik
- Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda
- President of Poland Andrzej Duda
- President of Switzerland Karin Keller-Sutter
In addition to political leaders, the ceremony was attended by religious leaders, representatives of royal families, and thousands of believers who prayed together for the Pope’s soul.
St Peter’s Square is packed with people who have gathered to honour one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our time. The live broadcast of the ceremony allows millions of believers around the world to join in the farewell.
Pope Francis has left a deep mark on the hearts of millions of people with his openness, his calls for peace, his fight for the rights of the poor and his protection of the environment. His legacy will continue to live on in the memory of the world.
The funeral was broadcast live, allowing millions of people around the world to join in the farewell prayer.
