Who Is Attending Pope Francis’ Funeral and Where They Are Sitting?

April 26 – In Rome, a solemn and historic moment took place as people from around the world came together at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City to honor and say goodbye to Pope Francis. Crowds in the hundreds of thousands filled the square and the surrounding streets, while world leaders, royalty, and dignitaries assembled in specially arranged seating to pay their respects.

Among those attending, some of the most recognizable faces included Prince William, U.S President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron were among the key figures in attendance. Their attendance highlighted the enduring impact Pope Francis had on political, religious, and cultural life around the world.

Inside St. Peter’s Square, seating arrangements placed dignitaries in a reserved section on the right-hand side, directly adjacent to the Basilica. The public, forming an overwhelming sea of humanity, was kept in separate, more distant areas. The arrangement emphasized the significance of those present without diminishing the collective spirit of mourning shared by all attendees.

At the very front of the VIP section sat Donald Trump, in a place of high honor near Pope Francis’ coffin. His wife, Melania Trump, sat by his side, with both of them located across the aisle from France’s President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. Interestingly, President Trump and Melania found themselves seated between two firm allies of Ukraine: Estonia’s President Alar Karis sat to Melania’s left, while Finland’s President Alexander Stubb took the seat to Trump’s right. The placement was seen by some observers as a subtle reminder of the current geopolitical challenges.

Just a few seats down, and across one aisle, was President Zelensky. Though separated by about ten seats and a passageway, the proximity between Trump and Zelensky was notable given their recent public disagreements. Zelensky, visibly solemn, shared his row with Macron and other distinguished leaders.

Sitting in some of the most prestigious spots were Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alongside President Sergio Mattarella of Italy. Their placement held special symbolism Argentina, being the Pope’s homeland, and Italy, as the Vatican’s host country, played important roles in Pope Francis’ life and papacy.

Behind them, reigning sovereigns and heads of delegations were arranged in order based on French alphabetical listing, the traditional diplomatic language. This gave the seating an orderly, protocol-driven structure, while maintaining dignity for all present.

Representing the British Royal Family, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, attended the service and was seen seated next to Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s Prime Minister, made a thoughtful entrance alongside his wife Victoria, both engaged in conversation as they arrived.

Former President Joe Biden, another familiar face on the international stage, came hand in hand with First Lady Jill Biden. They were positioned four rows behind President Trump, a decision that observers noted seemed to subtly reflect the current political divides.

In addition to these major figures, the funeral was graced by a wide array of other prominent leaders and royals from across the world. Among them were:

• Polish President Andrzej Duda
• Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, and President Sergio Mattarella
• Dominican Republic’s President Luis Abinader
• Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
• German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
• Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic
• Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa
• Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin
• Moldova’s President Maia Sandu
• Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics
• New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
• Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia
• United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
• Denmark’s Queen Mary
• China’s Vice President Chen Chin-Jen
• Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania
• Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene
• Hungary’s President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
• European Council President Antonio Costa
• President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also spotted deep in conversation with President Macron before the service began, reflecting the gravity and shared sorrow felt among European leaders.

The occasion was not just a farewell to Pope Francis, but also a rare display of worldwide solidarity. Despite ongoing conflicts, political rivalries, and diplomatic tensions, leaders from every corner of the world came together in reverence, reminding the world of the power of shared humanity in moments of great loss.

As prayers filled the air and bells tolled, it was not political posturing but a genuine spirit of respect and mourning that prevailed over St. Peter’s Square.