By Heraldviews
An
unprecedented gathering of world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump,
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and nearly 20 other heads of state
will attend Saturday's burial ceremony for Pope Francis at St. Peter's
Basilica, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary papacy that reshaped the
Catholic Church's global role.
The
full list of confirmed attendees includes:
Royalty & Religious Leaders
- King Philippe and
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- King Felipe VI
and Queen Letizia of Spain
- Prince William of
Wales
Heads of State
- President Donald
Trump (United States)
- President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine)
- President Javier
Milei (Argentina)
- President Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil)
- President
Emmanuel Macron (France)
- President
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Germany)
- President Tamás
Sulyok (Hungary)
- President Sergio
Mattarella (Italy)
- President Edgars
Rinkēvičs (Latvia)
- President Gitanas
Nausėda (Lithuania)
- President Andrzej
Duda (Poland)
- Interim President
Ilie Bolojan (Romania)
- President José Ramos-Horta
(East Timor)
- President Karin
Keller-Sutter (Switzerland)
Government Leaders
- Prime Minister
Keir Starmer (UK)
- Prime Minister
Bart De Wever (Belgium)
- Chancellor Olaf
Scholz (Germany)
- Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni (Italy)
EU Leadership
- European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- European Council
President Antonio Costa
- European
Parliament President Roberta Metsola
The
ceremony comes at 4:00 PM local time following a week of mourning that saw over
2 million pilgrims pay their respects. Security has been tightened across Rome,
with Italian authorities deploying 5,000 additional officers and implementing
no-fly zones over Vatican City.
President
Trump's attendance alongside President Zelenskyy creates a potentially delicate
diplomatic moment, as the U.S. election campaign heats up while Ukraine
continues to seek Western military support. Vatican officials have arranged
separate seating arrangements for leaders currently in conflict.
"This
gathering reflects Pope Francis' unique ability to bridge political
divides," noted Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. "Even in death, he
brings the world together."
The
burial will follow traditional protocols for papal funerals, with the coffin
being placed in the crypt beneath St. Peter's Basilica alongside his
predecessors. The College of Cardinals will begin conclave proceedings next
week to elect a new pope.
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