Leaders from around the world have gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week. The funeral is drawing an extraordinary global presence, with monarchs, presidents, and prime ministers among the mourners.
Representing the United Kingdom are Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, attending on behalf of the British government and the royal family, respectively.
From Pope Francis’ native Argentina, President Javier Milei is seated in the front row, in accordance with Vatican protocol, which gives precedence to the Pontiff’s home country. Milei, who had previously been critical of the Pope, repaired relations following his election in 2023, including a well-received meeting at the Vatican during the canonization of Argentina’s first female saint. Upon the Pope’s death, Milei declared a week-long national mourning period.
The United States is represented by both former and current political figures. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are in attendance, as are former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden. Trump’s appearance has stirred controversy after he framed his attendance as recognition of his success with Catholic voters—a claim that historians and analysts quickly disputed. Trump is seated in the third row.
Italy, as the host country, holds a position of honor. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are seated in the second row, per Vatican tradition, which favors the host nation.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain lead the Spanish delegation, while Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva head Brazil’s delegation. Other notable royal attendees include King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Among other dignitaries present are French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Irish President Michael D. Higgins. European Union leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, are also attending.
Seating at the funeral follows Vatican diplomatic tradition, balancing symbolic significance with established protocol. Priority is given to the Pope’s homeland and Italy, followed by royal figures, then other heads of state and government leaders. Within each group, seating is arranged by the French alphabetical order of the countries’ names.
