Pope Francis’ Funeral: Dignitaries, Leaders, and What Happens Next

The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, will draw an array of international dignitaries and leaders to Rome on Saturday, April 26, 2025. From heads of state to royals, the guest list for the outdoor ceremony in St. Peter’s Square reflects the global influence and importance of the Catholic Church.

Who Will Attend?

Paul Atanga Nji will allegedly represent Cameroon at Pope Francis’s funeral, standing in for President Paul Biya. While not officially confirmed, reports suggest that Atanga Nji, a key government figure, will attend the event, following a pattern of President Biya sending representatives to major global events.

A host of other international leaders will also make their way to Rome. Among those confirmed are French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who will be accompanied by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, along with his wife, Melania Trump, will also be present, despite the late pope’s public criticism of some of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding immigration.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain will attend, along with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Polish President Andrzej Duda. Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova will represent Russia, as President Vladimir Putin, restricted by travel sanctions, will not be attending.

Also present will be Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who, despite past controversies involving his harsh comments about Pope Francis, will attend, suggesting a move toward reconciliation. The UK will be represented by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William.

The list of attendees extends across all continents. Key international figures who have confirmed attendance include:

Global Institutions

• António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

Europe

• Emmanuel Macron, President of France
• Andrzej Duda, President of Poland
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
• Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany
• Maia Sandu, President of Moldova
• Philippe and Mathilde, King and Queen of Belgium
• Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia, King and Queen of Sweden
• Micheál Martin, Prime Minister of Ireland
• Zoran Milanović, President of Croatia
• Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia
• Felipe VI and Letizia, King and Queen of Spain
• Mary, Queen of Denmark
• Christian Stocker, Chancellor of Austria
• Rossen Jeliazkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria

Africa

• Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic
• Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of Gabon
• José Maria Neves, President of Cape Verde

Asia-Pacific

• Droupadi Murmu, President of India
• Muhammad Yunus, Interim Leader of Bangladesh
• Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Latin America

• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
• Javier Milei, President of Argentina
• Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic
• Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador

When and Where is Pope Francis’s Funeral?

The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, Rome. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the ceremony, drawing tens of thousands of mourners, including dignitaries and ordinary faithful. Pope Francis’s body has been lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday morning, with more than 130,000 people paying their respects by Friday.

What Security Measures Are in Place?

In light of the high-profile nature of the event, significant security measures have been implemented across Rome and the Vatican. Over 2,000 police officers will patrol the area, while more than 400 traffic officers will help manage diplomatic convoys. Advanced security measures, including anti-drone systems, fighter jets, and jamming technologies, will protect both the crowd and the surrounding areas.

A Departure from Tradition: Pope Francis’s Funeral and Burial

Pope Francis’s funeral will break with tradition in several key ways. In 2024, the pope simplified the funeral process, opting for a single wooden coffin, rather than the traditional multi-coffin approach. Pope Francis explained in an interview that he believed the old rituals were “too ornate” and chose a more humble yet dignified way to be laid to rest.

Another departure from tradition is the pope’s burial location. Pope Francis has chosen to be buried at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, unlike most popes who are buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. This choice reflects his deep devotion to the Marian shrine, where he frequently prayed before and after his international travels.

Pope Francis has requested that his burial be simple, with no special decorations, and his papal name, Franciscus, inscribed in Latin. After the funeral mass, they will move his coffin in procession to Santa Maria Maggiore, where the public can visit his tomb starting Sunday morning.

What Happens Next?

The funeral marks the beginning of the Novemdiales—a nine-day period of mourning and prayer for Pope Francis’s soul. After this, attention will shift toward selecting his successor.

The process of choosing a new pope will begin with a conclave, held within 15 to 20 days after Pope Francis’s death. The conclave will gather 135 cardinal electors, all under 80 years of age, who will swear an oath of secrecy before casting their votes in the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke will signal an inconclusive vote, while white smoke will indicate the election of a new pope.

Who Are the Frontrunners to Be the Next Pope?

Several names are circulating as potential successors to Pope Francis, though predicting the next pope is always a complex task. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, an Italian known for his progressive views, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, frequently emerge as frontrunners. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines stands out as a possible candidate because of his prominent role in the Church’s global mission. While Africa boasts of the fastest growing number of Catholics worldwide, it is not yet certain if an African could become the next pope.

Mimi Mefo Info