Donald and Melania Trump

The President confirmed via his social media platform, Truth Social, that himself and the First Lady, Melania Trump, are set to be in attendance. He said they both “look forward to being there.”

Vice President J.D. Vance met with the Pope on Easter Sunday in Rome, a day before his passing. The brief meeting came amid prickly relations between the Papacy and the Trump Administration, which had worsened in recent months as Pope Francis openly criticized U.S. policy on deportation. 

Prince William

King Charles III’s eldest son, Prince William, is confirmed to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, according to a statement from Kensington Palace. William will be representing his father, just as Charles represented the late Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

The Prince of Wales’ attendance in place of the King is a modern tradition, and a statement to further establish William’s role as future king. 

Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also be representing the United Kingdom at the service, as confirmed by a spokesperson on April 22 during a Downing Street press briefing.

The Prime Minister expressed condolences for Pope Francis after his death, stating: “His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.” 

Volodymyr Zelensky 

The Ukrainian President is confirmed to be in attendance for the service at St Peter’s Basilica, according to his communications advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn.

Zelensky paid tribute to the late Pope on his official X account, saying: “We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine. Our state will be represented in Rome at the farewell ceremony this coming Saturday.”

Pope Francis and the Ukrainian President last met in October 2024, during Zelensky’s European diplomatic tour.

Micheál Martin

Representation from Catholic-majority countries will be in attendance, as Irish President Michael D. Higgins will be present at the service on April 26, alongside Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Micheál Martin.

On April 22, Higgins paid tribute to the late Pope by signing a book of condolences for the Pontiff in Dublin, Ireland.

Ursula von der Leyen

Another key European figure, E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has confirmed that she will be present for Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Von der Leyen’s attendance sets the stage for a potential key meeting between herself and Trump. Whilst the President has paused additional tariffs on the E.U., this could still be a significant meeting between the two.

Javier Milei

Javier Milei, the conservative President of Pope Francis’ native Argentina, will also be travelling to Rome for Saturday’s funeral service, as confirmed via a government statemen

Milei was an open critic of the Pope’s views, adding in another statement: “Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me.”

Upon the news of the Pontiff’s passing, seven days of national mourning was announced in Argentina.

Read More: The Climate Pope: Francis and His Environmental Legacy

Giorgia Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has reportedly cancelled a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in order to attend Saturday’s funeral.

In a statement paying tribute to Pope Francis, Meloni said: “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased not even during times of trial and suffering.”

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

Representing another Catholic-majority country, the head of the Spanish Crown will be in attendance for Pope Francis’ funeral, confirmed by the royal palace.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia both signed a book of condolences for the Pope in Madrid earlier in the week. President Pedro Sanchez will reportedly notbe attending the service, although he has yet to publicly comment on this. 

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the head of state for Asia’s largestCatholic population will be present at Saturday’s service in Rome, confirmed in a statement via the Philippines government on April 23.

Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, 67, is one of the top contenders to be appointed as the next Pope. If elected, he would be the first from Asia in centuries and, after Pope Francis, the second non-European Pontiff in more than 1200 years.

Lula da Silva

A well known and longtime friend of Pope Francis, the Brazilian government stated that Brazilian President Lula da Silva will be at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday to represent the world’s largest Catholic population.

During da Silva’s three terms as President, he met with the late Pope on a number of occasions. Offering his condolences after Pope Francis’ passing, the Brazilian official said: “Humanity has lost a voice of compassion and respect.”

António Guterres

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres paid his respects to the late Pope after his passing, and is expected to be in attendance at the funeral in Rome, according to Reuters.

In a statement, Guterres said: “He was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice… our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions.”